A community registered under the name “Dilip Kumar for Bharat Ratna” in Facebook is lobbying to garner support for the 86-year-old actor to be awarded the highest civilian award of the nation – The Bharat Ratna. Popular director Mahesh Bhatt started this initiative and over 850 people have already registered in favor of Dilip Kumar.

Bhatt told the IANS that, “It is the entire industry’s effort. From every region, stalwarts have come out to appeal for him. I was just a foot soldier. It is the Indian film industry’s effort, not an individual’s effort.”

The members of the group are encouraged to leave a comment in favor of the star or reply “I endorse that Dilip Kumar is the most deserving person to be honored with the Bharat Ratna.”