Aamir Khan Creates History as First Recipient of RK Laxman Excellence Award

Mumbai, Oct 30 : The legacy of legendary cartoonist RK Laxman is set to shine brighter with the launch of a new honour  the RK Laxman Award for Excellence. Instituted by his family to celebrate individuals who embody creativity, integrity, and impact through their work, the award will debut with a spectacular celebration in Pune on November 23, 2025.
The inaugural recipient of this prestigious award will be Aamir Khan, marking him as the first-ever winner of the RK Laxman Excellence Award. Known for his perfectionism and socially conscious storytelling, Aamir has been chosen for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema and society at large.
The grand launch will feature a live concert by music maestro AR Rahman at the MCA Cricket Stadium, Pune, starting at 5 PM.
Speaking about the event, Usha Laxman, daughter in law of the late artist, said the celebration would go beyond music  it would be a heartfelt tribute to RK Laxman’s unparalleled contribution to art and satire. “We wanted to honour his vision of creativity that spoke truth with humour. Aamir Khan represents that spirit perfectly,” she said.
RK Laxman remains one of India’s most loved cartoonists, immortalised through his creation “The Common Man” in You Said It, a series that mirrored the country’s everyday life with wit and empathy. His illustrations for “Malgudi Days”, based on his brother RK Narayan’s stories, also remain iconic in Indian popular culture.
Born in 1921, RK Laxman’s illustrious career earned him some of the nation’s highest honours, including the Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and an honorary doctorate from the University of Mysore. He passed away in 2015 at the age of 93, leaving behind a timeless legacy that continues to inspire generations.
With the RK Laxman Award for Excellence, his family aims to keep that legacy alive by recognising those who, like him, transform everyday realities into extraordinary art.