MUMBAI: Bollywood’s living legend Amitabh Bachchan was honored with the third ‘Hridaynath Mangeshkar Award’ for his contribution to the film industry.

The lifetime achievement award was supposed to be presented by Lata Mangeshkar to Mr Bachchan, but she could not make it due to health issues. However, Subhash Ghai did the honors and presented the “Big B” with the award.

Amitabh Bachchan was full of praises for Lata Mangeshkar at the ceremony and even promised to speak in Mangeshkar’s mother tongue the next time around.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Bachchan said, “The film Industry has completed hundred years. Lataji has contributed for 71 years, this is no small thing.”

The musical evening, which took place on October 26, 2013, in Mumbai, was organized by the NGO Hridayesh Arts, which shares a deep bond with singer-composer Hridaynath Mangeshkar; Lata Ji’s brother, the youngest of the five Mangeshkar siblings.

This year the event also coincided with the 24th anniversary of the NGO.

The musical event saw performances by singers like Sadhana Sargam, Bela Shende, Sudesh Bhosle, Radha Mangeshkar, Shaan and Sunidhi Chauhan.