MUMBAI: The Dadasaheb Phalke Academy has decided to present its prestigious Phalke Ratna award to producer-director B R Chopra this year.

Chopra will be receiving this award for his contribution to Indian cinema.

"With characteristic vision and great enterprenurial spirit, he conveyed offbeat stories into most magnificient movies", the Academy said.

B R Chopra, director of classics like Naya Daur, Ek Hi Rasta, Kanoon, Dhool Ka Phool and Gumraah, founded the B R films banner in 1955.

The banner, which also forayed into television serial production in 1985, produced Mahabharat directed by B R Chopra's son Ravi Chopra.

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