Actress Rani Mukherjee says she feels the void left by the demise of filmmaker Yash Chopra but does not like to talk about him in past tense

"I don't like to talk about Yash uncle in past tense. He is a living legend and will always be there in our hearts and lives," Rani said.

She was speaking at a function where the inaugural National Yash Chopra Memorial Award was presented to legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar here last night. Chopra's wife Pamela was also present. "She (Mangeshkar) is the most deserving recipient of the award.

They had an emotional connect," the Bollywood actress said. "It has been a year since Yash uncle passed away, but the young generation will remember him through this award and his films," said Rani with her voice choked with emotion. Mangeshkar was down with fever and doctors had advised her rest, but she still came for the function. This speaks volumes about her, she said.

The award has been instituted by a foundation led by industrialist-politician T Subbarami Reddy, who has produced Hindi films like 'Vijay', 'Chandni' and 'Lamhe'.