Actor Vidya Balan who has won accolades for her roles in The Dirty Picture and Kahaani was awarded the Prabha Khaitan Puraskar 2012 from the Calcutta Chamber of Commerce. West Bengal Governor MK Narayanan presented the award to the actor. Conferring the award to Vidya, Narayanan said: "I am doubly privileged to present this award to Vidya Balan as I come from the same small town of Kerala where she was born."

While receiving the award Vidya said: "I feel extremely overwhelmed to receive this Prabha Khaitan Puraskar especially after knowing a few names who has earlier received this award for excelling in their own field. I think women are taking the centre stage in various walks of life all over the country and cinema is just a reflection of that."

Vidya looked ravishing in an off-white sari with a rich blue-gold brocade border and a three-quarter velvet blouse, accessorised with just a pair of jhumkas. She said she wanted to work in Bengali films too. "Satyajit Ray is my favourite Bengali director. I'll love to work in a Bengali film. But till now, I have not received any offer. But I have taken videos of Bengali films like 'Antaheen' and 'Moner Manush'."