In Bollywood, it is common knowledge that actor Aamir Khan shuns awards functions, even ones where he is to receive the award.

Maharashtra Government is hoping that Aamir makes an exception for the Maharashtra State Awards ceremony to be held Pune on May 30.

Maharashtra Government plans to present the Raj Kapoor Lifetime Achievement Award to actress Rekha and honour Aamir with the Raj Kapoor Memorial Award for Special Contribution.

The actor has given his consent to the award but has conveyed to us that he has film shooting commitments for May 30, a senior State Government official said.

"Rekha has assured us that she would be present at the awards nite and we are keeping our fingers crossed that Aamir attends," the official said.

The V Shantaram Award, instituted by Maharashtra Government, would be presented to veteran lyricist Jagdish Khebudkar and actor-director Mahesh Kothare.

Each award comprises of Rs 2 lakhs, a citation and a memento.

The Shantaram Awards are presented to those who have made a mark in the Marathi film industry, while the Raj Kapoor Awards honour achievers from the Hindi film industry.

Minister for cultural affairs Harshvardhan Patil said the ministry has also decided to felicitate recipients of the Padma awards this year who belong to the film industry, including singers Udit Narayan, Kumar Sanu and Shamshad Begum and music director Pandit Hridaynath Mangeshkar.

There are also plans to felicitate the stars of the Oscar-winning film 'Slumdog Millionaire' and double Oscar winner music director A R Rahman has also been invited, the official said.