'Honour For Entire Marathi Industry': Kedar Shinde Praises Veteran Director Rajdutt On Receiving Padma Bhusan

The eve of India’s 75th Republic Day marked a momentous occasion for Marathi cinema as veteran director Dattatray Ambadas Mayaloo, popularly known as Rajdutt, was conferred with the prestigious Padma Bhushan Award. In celebration of this achievement, director Kedar Shinde paid a visit to Rajdutt’s residence, presenting him with a bouquet.

Shinde shared glimpses of the visit on Instagram, expressing his admiration for Rajdutt’s enthusiastic attitude and the invaluable lessons learned from the seasoned filmmaker. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Shinde highlighted the simplicity with which Rajdutt’s generation imparts wisdom and emphasised the significance of learning from elders. The director, known for his work in Baipan Bhari Deva, acknowledged the guidance provided by Rajdutt’s teachings, concluding the post with warm regards from Colors Marathi Channel.

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In an interview with the Times of India, Rajdutt expressed his delight at receiving the Padma Bhushan, considering it a tremendous honour and recognition for years of dedicated work and passion in his profession. Hailing from Dhamangaon in the Amravati district, Rajdutt’s journey in the entertainment industry began with his association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh from an early age. During the Emergency, he spent two months in prison. Rajdutt’s early foray into acting included performances in numerous plays during his school and college days.

Rajdutt’s cinematic journey gained momentum when his guru, Raja Paranjpe, facilitated his entry into the AVM Studio in Madras. Assisting Paranjpe in 13 films, Rajdutt made his directorial debut with Madhuchandra, which proved to be a commercial success. The film featured popular actors such as Madhu Apte, Uma Bhende, Shrikant Moghe and Kashinath Ghanekar.

Recognising his significant contributions, Rajdutt was honoured in 2023 by MIT World Peace University founder Dr Vishwanath Karad at a special program titled Sanman Chitratapasavicha held at the Yashvantrao Chavan Auditorium.