An editorial in the party's mouthpiece Saamna, edited by Thackeray, says that at a juncture when Pakistan is drafting anti-India strategy and is also encouraging those accused in the Mumbai serial bomb blasts case --Dilip should have politely rejected the prestigious award, saying since he is first an Indian.

The editorial adds: "Despite the fact that Dilip Kumar has already been honoured by the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke award for his outstanding contribution to Hindi cinema, he feels more honoured by the Nishan-E-Imtiaz award."