Mumbai: Veteran producer-director B R Chopra will be awarded the prestigious Phalke Ratna award for his contribution to Indian cinema.

The date of the awards, which are instituted by the Dadasaheb Phalke Academy, is likely to be announced soon.

Chopra has to his credit films like Naya Daur, Ek Hi Rasta, Kanoon, Dhool Ka Phool, and Gumraah, amongst others.

Founding the B R films banner in 1955, Chopra was committed to depicting social themes and family values in his movies. The banner made its foray into television serial production in 1985 and made history with Mahabharat.

The earlier film personalities who have been given Phalke Ratna awards are late Sunil Dutt in 2005 and Dilip Kumar in 2007.