New Delhi/IBNS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday extended a warm gesture towards veteran politician and Nationalist Congress Party (SP) chief Sharad Pawar helping him to get seated at a programme here.

Modi helped Pawar to sit on a chair at the inauguration of the 98th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan.

After the two were settled, the Prime Minister poured water on a glass and offering it to Pawar, an 84-year-old politician who has served as the union minister as well as Maharashtra Chief Minister in the past.

The festival returned to the national capital after a gap of 71 years. It is taking place after Marathi was recognised as a classical language by the central government a year ago.

Meanwhile speaking at the event, Modi on Friday praised Vicky Kaushal's recently-released historical period drama Chhaava as he highlighted Maharashtra's role in shaping both Marathi and Hindi cinema.

He said, "Marathi language and literature have opened the doors of social emancipation for the oppressed and deprived sections of society."

The Prime Minister remarked that when speaking of Mumbai, one cannot complete the discussion of literature without mentioning films.

He highlighted that it is Maharashtra and Mumbai that have elevated both Marathi films and Hindi cinema.

He hailed the current popularity of the movie Chhaava, which has introduced the valour of Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj through Shivaji Sawant's Marathi novel.

"Ye Maharashtra aur Mumbai hi hai jisne Marathi filmon ke saath-saath, Hindi cinema ko ye unchai di hai. Aur in dino toh, Chhaava ki dhoom machi hui hai. (It is Maharashtra and Mumbai which can be credited to have elevated Hindi cinema alongside Marathi films. And these days, the film Chhaava is creating huge waves)," PM Modi said.