Actor Rajkumar Rao to be National Icon for Election Commission
Rao portrayed a principled government clerk who is determined to organise a free-and-fair election in Chhattisgarh, overcoming the apathy of a security official
Actor Rajkummar Rao, who won acclaim for his portrayal of an official tasked with holding elections in the Naxalite hubs of Chhattisgarh in Hindi film "Newton", will be a National Icon for the Election Commission.
The election panel appoints prominent Indians as national icons to motivate people to vote.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar will formally appoint Rao as a National Icon on Thursday.
Rao portrayed a principled government clerk who is determined to organise a free-and-fair election in Chhattisgarh, overcoming the apathy and cynicism of a security official.
The film won the National Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi and was India's nominee for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Oscars.
Earlier, the Election Commission recognised actors Pankaj Tripathi and Aamir Khan and sportspersons Sachin Tendulkar, MS Dhoni and MC Mary Kom as national icons.
(With agency inputs)
