While actor Mahesh Babu has been in the news for the box office numbers that his last release Maharshi did, it was another role that the Telugu Superstar played that landed him the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

Winning the best actor award for his performance as the Chief Minister in Bharat Ane Nenu, Mahesh Babu is among the first recipients of Dadasaheb Phalke Award (South). Instituted this year, Dadasaheb Phalke Awards for excellence in South cinema was hosted in Hyderabad.

Mahesh Babu, however, could not attend it since he is busy shooting for his upcoming flick Sarileru Neekevvaru and the award was received by his wife, Namrata Shirodkar. 

Among other winners were Anushka Shetty, who won the best actress award for her stellar performance in the film Bhaagamathie, while Keerthy Suresh and Yash took home the outstanding performances of the year.