Mumbai: Noted filmmaker Yash Chopra on December 13 said he was "honoured" to be chosen for the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award and described it "as a blessing from God".

"I am extremely happy to be chosen for the award. I have no words to express my feelings. It is a pleasant reward after nearly 51 years of journey in films," he told reporters in Mumbai.

"I feel elated that my name has been included among the great luminaries, whose films I have been watching for decades and to whom I have always looked upto," he said.

"I am happy that my work has been appreciated," Chopra said.

Chopra said, "I am a very honest film maker and have made each and every movie with sincerity."

"Films have been my only passion in life," he said adding "I have always been proud of making films and will continue taking pride in all my films."

"I have never made a movie that I have not believed in. All my films including 'Dhool Ka Phool', 'Lamhe', 'Kabhi Kabhi' are subjects I was truly fascinated," Chopra said.

"However, though I love all my films, one tends to get attached to films that do well. But I do not have any regrets making films that did not really do well at the box office," the leading producer-director said.

"All my films revolve around the theme of human relations because I feel that though everything might go out of fashion, human relations never do. As long as I live, I will continue making films on this unique aspect of humans," the 70-year-old director said.

"I always believe that my films should give some hope to the man who comes to watch them for those three hours. If they go home in an optimistic note, I would feel satisfied at having done my duty," Chopra said.

Explaining his philosophy in life, he said, "Never hurt anybody and do your best".

PTI