Mumbai, April 13 : The Dadasaheb Phalke Award has come in late for Bollywood's iconic villain Pran, says his daughter Pinky. Members of the film fraternity too feel the same.

The veteran actor, 93, was named for the honour Friday.

His daughter said: "Well it comes (very late), for him. It is very important also. We feel he deserves it so, of course, he should have got it (earlier)."

Besides Pinky, Bollywood celebrities like Anil Kapoor and Aadesh Srivastava, too share the sentiment.

"I think this honour has come too late for Pran saheb. I wish he had got it much earlier. But as it is said, 'better late than never'," said Anil.

Composer Aadesh Srivastava, said: "He (Pran) has got this honour very late. I think he is the most deserving person for this. We would have feel more happy if he would have got this honour during his active days, when he was acting.

"But its better late than never. The kind of characters Pran saheb has portrayed, are marvelous. Pran saheb should have got this honour much earlier, but I am still very happy."

Beginning his career as a hero in 1940 with "Yamala Jat", Pran went on to feature in films like "Milan", "Madhumati" and "Kashmir Ki Kali". He achieved fame by playing villain in several films.

Actress Chitrangada Singh believes Pran is an "iconic figure" for the younger generation

"I have seen his movies while I was growing up. He played the role of a villain of course, but he is a nice man and an absolute gentleman. He is just the opposite of his onscreen image," she said.(IANS)