At the fifth edition of its Lokmat Maharashtrian of The Year Awards being held this evening at the NSCI Dome, the popular Maharashtra-based newspaper group is presenting Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar with the ‘Maharashtrian of The Year Award’ for the major role he played as a social influencer in the last 12 months. Akshay, who had two blockbuster films in Toilet: Ek Prem Katha and PadMan, is singularly responsible for bringing about social awareness in the country towards open defecation and menstrual hygiene. His name was drawn up by Lokmat Media from online votes cast by Marathi-speaking people worldwide and the 15 eminent members of the jury of the popular awards. Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan is also being honoured by Lokmat Media with a Power Icon Award at the same function.

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The Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year Awards is being held in the presence of a glittering galaxy of dignitaries from all professions and will honour outstanding personalities in 14 categories at the ceremony. Each category had five nominations out of which the winner was picked.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will be the chief guest and is likely to present the award to Akshay Kumar. Among others who will be honoured at this function are Railways and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal, former Indian cricket captain and Team India coach Ravi Shastri and educationist D. Y. Patil. Shastri will be interviewed by sports critic and senior journalist Ayaz Memon, noted Marathi film actress Kishori Shahane will interview Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who is active in various social activities, and Lokmat Media Joint MD and Editorial Director Rishi Darda will himself interview Akshay.

Speaking about the awards, Rishi Darda said, “As a media house, it is encouraging to see the entertainment fraternity coming forward to convey serious messages and our special award winner of the Lokmat Maharashtrian of the Year 2018, Akshay Kumar, is winning specially for his contribution in this area. I think efforts like these will go a long way in helping our real Bharat to absorb the message of change in their own way. Entertainment is always a great medium to communicate something and we are impressed by Akshay and Twinkle Khanna who attempted to do this through two films they produced, Toilet: Ek Prem Katha and PadMan. We welcome more such crusaders.”