India, Jan. 29 -- Conferred with a Padma Shri this year, actor-theatre stalwart Arvind Gopal Vaidya says, "My phone has not stopped ringing since the announcement of my very first Padma award."

The veteran, known for his roles in over 100 TV shows including Khichdi, Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, and currently as 'Bapuji' in Anupamaa, is overwhelmed by the honour.

"'Bapu, bapu mil hi gya,' or 'der se sahi mila toh'.but everyone back home in Ahmedabad is elated," he shares. "I too feel it's a bit late because all the people who stood by me, people who were the reason that I got into this field, unn mein se abhi koi nahin hain. He is no longer here to share my big day. Uss time se koi nahin hain except my wife, as she too has been there in my thic...