Actor Amitabh Bachchan was on Tuesday named this year's Dadasaheb Phalke winner, Indian cinema's highest honour for an artiste.

Information and broadcasting minister Prakash Javadekar confirmed the news in a Twitter post.

'The legend Amitabh Bachchan who entertained and inspired for two generations has been selected unanimously for #DadaSahabPhalke award. The entire country and international community is happy. My heartiest congratulations to him. @narendramodi @SrBachchan,' Javadekar tweeted.

The 76-year-old screen icon, who rose to stardom with his 'angry young man' persona capturing the anger of the young generation in the 1970s with films such as Zanjeer, Deewar and Sholay, continues to play a pivotal role in Indian cinema.

In a career spanning five decades, Bachchan has given memorable performances in films and is a four-time National Film Awards winner.