Bollywood actor Alia Bhatt has been awarded the Priyadarshni Academy Smita Patil Memorial Award for commendable contribution to Indian cinema at the 38th anniversary celebrations of Priyadarshini Academy, q non-profit socio-cultural and educational organization.

The honour is bestowed upon outstanding national and international recipients annually, and awards global recognition to their 'unparalleled excellence and immense contribution to their respective fields'.

This year, the awardees will be felicitated virtually by union ministers at the Academy’s awards presentation ceremony through a webinar on September 19.

Speaking on the occasion, Alia said, “I want to thank the Priyadarshni Academy for bestowing me with the Smita Patil Memorial Award for Best Actor. It’s a tremendous honour to be here today, one I’ll cherish for the years to come."

India has the most incredible legacy of the arts, and I’m eternally grateful that our work is a part of it. Cinema teaches us the importance of believing in the beauty of dreams, to follow them with dedication and humility, and never quit.”

Alia stars alongside husband Ranbir Kapoor in Ayan Mukerji's Brahmastra. The film has grossed Rs 360 crores globally at the box-office.