At 85, Bollywood's thespian was honoured with yet another award after a lifetime in the film industry, this time, it was the prestigious Phalke Ratna Award by Dadasaheb Phalke Academy.

For him of this is the pleasure of fresh glory, and Dilipsaab said, "The intent is important. I feel honoured that even today, people love and remember me with so much respect. It’s overwhelming."

In Pali Hill the veteran actor and his lovely wife, veteran actress of yesteryear Saira Banu, have created a world of their own, only stepping out of it when the outer world beckons.

Saturday night, the world summoned Dilipsaab to step into the limelight again; but Saturday night, he was engrossed with the Australia-Sri Lanka World Cup final. An avid football and cricket fan, and a former player at some level himself, he said in a distracted manner, "Australia is too good a team, but Sri Lanka has been a big surprise too. The best team always wins and this match is a treat."

Dilipsaab was looking alert and very good. What makes him tick? "What makes me tick?" he asked astonished, "I think great care and caution. I attribute all this to Saira. Her commitment is irreplaceable. I can be very difficult at times." For someone who's done milestone movies, enriching the legacy of Hindi cinema, is there anything interesting left for him to explore? "Karne ko kya baaki raha abhi," he replied.

He does enjoy watching films, mostly of Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. He said, "Shah Rukh has an enviable gush. His lust for life and everything he does is something I am thoroughly captivated by. Ek suhana andaaz hain unka." He pointed to a goldfish in a bowl. "He is like that fish, racing through space, hungrily lusting after something he doesn't know. But both Amit and Shah Rukh are very able actors, though Amit belongs to a different generation."

He, himself, has been the king of them all, described as a thespian, the tragedy king, the king of kings and a living legend. Who is the real Dilip Kumar? Amused, he replied, "These are just big words and nothing else. I know and live with the real Dilip Kumar. He is a simple man, hard working, who has survived time." Any regrets? Unfulfilled wish? "Khuda naraaz ho jayenge if I start complaining," he smiled. "He has given me so much that I should be abundantly satisfied. And no, I have no regrets. He’s been really kind."

A possibly touchy subject: Does he not miss having an heir of his own to carry on the great Dilip Kumar legacy? "I love children, but where's the time to think about it? We have about 30 children from Saira's family and my own, and they are enough to keep me occupied with their mischief. They are so full of energy that I get tired trying to cope with them." Another taboo subject; Women. Who's the most beautiful woman he's seen? Dilip Kumar replied with a naughty twinkle in his eye, "I have got her and she's mine!"