From 90-year-old Manna Dey to nine-year-old Sharad Goekar, winners of the 55th National Awards echoed the same sentiment today saying they were "honoured and flattered" to receive the most cherished cinematic recognition.

"This is a very special award. I feel flattered and am very happy because it is the highest recognition in cinema," said singing legend Dey, who was conferred with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke award by President Pratibha Patil. He denied that the honour had come late, a feeling shared by many singers in the industry.

Dey, who has enthralled music lovers with his golden voice for over four decades and has transcended the boundaries of language, received the award which carries a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, a swaran kamal and a shawl. A short film on Dey's life and work was screened on the occasion.

Veteran filmmaker Yash Chopra, who received the Best Popular Film award for Chak De! on behalf of his director- producer son Aditya Chopra, said, "Very few films are made on sports but I am happy that we were a part of a film which did so well. When asked why Aditya did not attend the function, Chopra said, "He is very busy in his work."

Veteran filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishanan, who received his fifth National Award as a director for Malayalam film Naalu Pennungal, said, "National awards are the highest awards. And it is exciting because every time I receive the award it is for my new film."

Tamil actor Prakash Raaj, who got the Best Actor award for his portrayal of a weaver in Kanchivaram, said, "It is a great honour but I was sort of expecting it. Obviously, it is exciting to be recognised for your work."

Stage and film actor Darshan Jariwala won the award for best supporting actor for the film Gandhi My Father, while Shefali Shah received the best supporting actress award for her role in The Last Lear, produced by Arindam Chaudhary and directed by Rituparno Ghosh.

Actor Aamir Khan, who acted, produced and directed Taare Zameen Par was a notable absentee, even as the film won two national awards for best film on family welfare, for best lyrics and best playback singer.

Lyricist Prasoon Joshi later said actor-director Aamir Khan could not make it to the event as he was busy giving final touches to his next film Three Idiots.

Master Sharad Goyekar was adjudged the best child actor for his role in Marathi feature film Tingya.

Director Feroz Abbas Khan received the honour of best director for his film Gandhi My Father, while the film also received the special jury award.

Actress Sonam Kapoor received the award on behalf of her father actor Anil Kapoor (who produced Gandhi My Father).

Debutant director and grandson of veteran film maker Ramanand Sagar, Amrit Sagar won the best director award in the Hindi film category for his film 1971.

Director Rituparno Ghosh was honoured for his film The Last Lear which was adjudged the best film in English.

Film maker Jabbar Patel received the best direction award for his documentary film Antardhwani, cinematographer and film maker Santosh Sivan won the best direction award for his short Kannada film Prarambha. Jayaraj won the award for best direction for his Malayalam film Vellapokathil.