The Raj Kapoor Award is the highest lifetime achievement award in Hindi cinema, established by the Government of Maharashtra, India. It is presented annually by the Department of Cultural Affairs, Maharashtra. Award instituted in 1998 to recognises individual for their "Lifetime Achievement to Hindi cinema". The recipient is recognized for their exceptional contribution to the Indian cinema and is chosen by a panel of distinguished figures within the Indian film sector. The accolade includes a certificate, a shawl, and a monetary award of ₹5,00,000.
The Government of Maharashtra created the award to commemorate the contribution of Indian actor & filmmaker Raj Kapoor. Kapoor (1924–1988), who is popularly known as greatest and most influential actor and filmmaker of Indian cinema.
The first recipient of the award was filmmaker Ramanand Sagar, who was honoured at the Maharashtra State Film Awards in 1997. As of 2025, there have been 28 awardees.
Recipients
+ List of award recipients Year Image Recipient Work Notes 1997 Ramanand SagarDirectorKnown for his pioneering contribution to Indian cinema & television, Particularly for creating iconic TV series Ramayan. 1998 Kidar SharmaDirector, screenwriterKnown for his contribution to Hindi cinema as a filmmaker, screenwriter, lyricist & producer, with notable works including Neel Kamal, Chitralekha. 1999 Bhagwan DadaActor, directorA pioneering figure in Hindi cinema, best remembered for his energetic dance style & films such as Albela, Bhabhi & Bhagwan Dada.2000 Sandhya ShantaramActressKnown for her acclaimed performances in V. Shantaram's films, Particularly Navrang, Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje & Do Aankhen Barah Haath. 2001 NaushadMusic composerKnown for shaping the sound of Hindi films through iconic compositions in Baiju Bawra, Mughal-e-Azam, Mother India & Mere Mehboob. 2002 Rajesh KhannaActorRemembered as Hindi cinema's first major superstar, with iconic performances in Aradhana, Anand, Kati Patang & Haathi Mera Saathi.2003 PranActorCelebrated for his versatile character portrayals and iconic villainous roles in Hindi cinema. 2004 Shammi KapoorActorRenowned as the "Yahoo" star of the Hindi cinema, celebrated his exuberant performances & dance-driven roles in Junglee, Kashmir Ki Kali & Teesri Manzil. 2005RajinikanthActorCelebrated as one of Indian cinema's most influential superstars with landmark performances in South Indian cinema. 2006 Yash ChopraDirectorWidely regarded for shaping the romantic genre in Hindi cinema through acclaimed films such as Silsila, Chandni, Lamhe & Veer-Zaara. 2007 GulzarLyricistAcclaimed for his poetic storytelling & evocative lyrics in Hindi cinema. 2008 RekhaActressNoted for her versatility & enduring screen presence in films such Umrao Jaan, Silsila, Khoon Bhari Maang & Utsav. 2009 Manoj KumarActorRegarded for associated with Patriotic cinema.2010 Govind NihalaniDirectorRecognised for India's parallel cinema, acclaimed for hard-hitting films such as Aakrosh, Ardh Satya, Party & Tamas. 2011 Shyam BenegalDirector, screenwriterA pioneer of India's parallel cinema, acclaimed for socially grounded films such as Ankur, Nishant, Manthan, Bhumika & Mandi. 2012 Basu ChatterjeeDirectorCredited with giving Hindi cinema a distinct middle-class sensibility through films such as Rajnigandha, Chhoti Si Baat & Khatta Meetha. 2013 TanujaActressAdmired for her naturalistic performance in Hindi cinema.2014 ShashikalaActressNoted for her versatile portrayals of supporting & negative characters in Hindi cinema.2015 Jeetendra ActorPopularly known as "Jumping Jack" of Hindi cinema, with memorable roles in Farz, Himmatwala, Tohfa & Caravan. 2016 Saira Banu ActressAdmired for her graceful screen presence & memorable performances in Hindi cinema. 2017 Dharmendra Actor Known for immense contribution to Hindi cinema, earning the beloved title of Bollywood’s “He-Man” through his iconic action roles and enduring screen presence.2018Waman BhonsleEditorCredited with shaping the rhythm and pace of Hindi cinema through acclaimed editing work on Sholay, Don, Mr. India & Kaalia.2019 Aruna Irani ActressVersatile across comedy, drama & supporting roles, with notable performances in Caravan, Bobby, Beta & Dil To Pagal Hai. 2020 Mithun Chakraborty ActorCelebrated as defining star of 1980s Hindi cinema, acclaimed for his performances in Disco Dancer, Agneepath & Mujhe Insaaf Chahiye.2021HelenActressKnown as "Queen of Cabaret", who set the screen with her dazzling dance numbers in Howrah Bridge, Caravan, Don, & Sholay2022Asha ParekhActressRecognised for her contribution to the growth of mainstream female-lead films through Kati Patang, Teesri Manzil, Caravan & Love In Tokyo.2023Anupam KherActorKnown as character actor who brought depth to both dramatic & comic roles in films such as Ram Lakhan, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, & Khosla Ka Ghosla.2024Salim KhanScreenwriterCelebrated as the key figure in the evolution of the Hindi action genre, best associated with the screenwriting partnership Salim-Javed & films such as Sholay, Zanjeer, Deewaar, Don & Trishul.
See also V. Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award Dadasaheb Phalke Award
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