"Proud to be an Indian. India is a country with great talents in various many fields. While legions await to be honoured, I am honoured that I have been chosen for Padma Bhushan by my government", he said in a statement here.
"I think it is sheer chance and my good fortune that I have been chosen", he said.
Expressing hope that he would live long to do more to deserve the award, the 59-year-old actor said "I do not consider this an honour for work that I have already done. This would be an impetus for me to do more good work, perhaps only then would I deserve it".