Padma Bhushan for Vijayanirmala is long overdue, says Krishna

Superstar Krishna in an emotional speech said that his wife and veteran actress-director Vijayanirmala deserved the Padma Bhushan award.

"I am baffled by it. She earned a place in the prestigious Guinness Book of World Records but Padma Bhushan is still eluding her. Despite the fact that Chief Minister KCR recommending her name for the same, she didn't get it, I am surprised," said the actor at the 73rd birthday celebrations of Vijayanirmala at his home.

"She made films with big stars like ANR, Sivaji Ganesan and Rajnikanth. Although, she made 22-odd films with me as a hero out of her 44 films, she also made films with smaller heroes like Chandramohan, Muralimohan and even with Naresh and tasted success. I wish she completes 50 films as a director for the sake of her fans," he added.

Underplaying the Padma Bhushan honour, Vijayanirmala added "Once Dasari garu visited by birthday celebrations and said that my popularity was on par with star heroines. That compliment is much bigger than Padma Bhushan' she pointed out.

Her son and actor Naresh fed her with a cake amidst cheers from fans. “My legion of fans are part of my family,” Krishna added.