For the 72-year-old Big B himself this is the third Padma award. He had earlier been honoured with the Padma Shri in 1984, followed by the Padma Bhushan in 2001.

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan has been conferred with India’s second highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan, this year.

With this, the Bachchans now have as many as seven Padma awards in the family, reported the India Today.

For the 72-year-old Big B himself this is the third Padma award. He had earlier been honoured with the Padma Shri in 1984, followed by the Padma Bhushan in 2001.

The actor tweeted, "T 1749 - To them that congratulate me on the Padma Vibhushan, I can only say, if it were not for you, I would not be worthy to receive it !!"

On his official blog, Amitabh Bachchan wrote: “The Government of India has decorated me today with the highest Padma Award of the country, the Padma Vibhushan.”

“I have no words to express my gratitude to the powers that be and am most humbled and overwhelmed by the generosity of the people that decide or sit on judgement on this,” he penned.

“In the family now we have a combined list of 7 such awards of the highest national acclaim. My Father: Padma Shree, Padma Bhushan; Jaya: Padma Shree; Aishwarya: Padma Shree; AB: Padma Shree, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan,” he added.

“In one family this must be perhaps the only reference or case in the country. I feel blessed and honoured, fortunate and humbled, overwhelmed and submerged by the affection and love of the people.”

Big B’s career in Bollywood has been nothing short of phenomenal as he continues to rule the hearts and minds of Indians for the last more than 40 years. He is currently working on Shamitabh, Piku and Wazir.