Bollywood's "Dhak-Dhak" girl Madhuri Dixit and former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen were honored with awards for excellence in the entertainment industry at the Planman Media's Powerbrands Hall of Fame awards held in Gurgaon on Monday night.

Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit
Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit. Image: Facebook.

Madhuri Dixit is undoubtedly one of the finest actresses in Indian cinema, who has given many superhit films during her acting career.

The 45-year-old diva, who made her comeback with dance reality show "Jhalak Dikha ja" after a long break, was honoured with platinum diva award for excellence in the field of acting for more than two decades in the Indian film industry.

Thanking for the honour, Madhuri said at the event that the award tells that people still think of her as someone substantial and with integrity.

"It might be my millionth award but it is important to me as it shows that people still think of me," the Press Trust of India quoted Madhuri as saying on-stage, after receiving the award.

Among the other top winners was the ex-beauty queen Sushmita Sen, who started her career with modeling and entered films with "Dastak" (1996) after winning the Miss Universe title.

"I won Miss Universe in 1994, got to do my first film "Dastak" as an actor and now I receive my first entrepreneur award," Sushmita said thanking each and every person who made her journey worthwhile.

Actress Sushmita Sen (R) with Miss Asia Pacific 2012 Himangini Singh Yadu (L).
Actress Sushmita Sen (R) with Miss Asia Pacific 2012 Himangini Singh Yadu (L). Image: Facebook.

"This is the first time in 18 years in showbiz that I am getting an award for being an entrepreneur. I am very grateful. It has been a journey for me," IANS quoted Sen as saying.

Sushmita is undeniably a role model for thousands of young women across the world. She started a national beauty pageant "I AM SHE" in 2010, which sends its winner to Miss Universe pageant. 

Recently, a finalist from the same organization brought glory to the country by winning international beauty pageant. Miss Asia Pacific 2012 Himangini Singh Yadu made the country proud by getting the crown back after 12 long years and was thus awarded with the title of inspirational youth icon.

Sushmita was honoured with woman entrepreneur award for successfully running her organization I AM SHE.

Actor Pratiek Babbar (L) and actress Parineeti Chopra (R). Image: Facebook
Actor Pratiek Babbar (L) and actress Parineeti Chopra (R). Image: Facebook

Among the other awardees, actress Parineeti Chopra and actor Pratiek Babbar were also honoured the "The Hall of Fame rising star" female and male awards for their latest films - "Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl" and "Ekk Deewana Tha" respectively.

"It feels great, just a year ago I was not even planning to become an actress. I was working in corporate industry. I always thought of becoming a banker. But I think destiny has its own role to play," said Parineeti who recently shot to fame with "Ishaqzaade" and "Ladies v/s Ricky Bahl".

"It feels really good that I have been getting so many awards. I promise to keep working harder and I hope to keep everybody happy," she added.

Veteran theater actor Tom Alter and celebrity chef Vikas Khanna were also given awards in separate categories.