In 2017, which veteran Bollywood actor was honoured with the Kala Ratna (Kala Ratan) Award for his significant contribution to Indian cinema and the arts?

Introduction / Context:
Awards like the Kala Ratna (sometimes written Kala Ratan) recognise outstanding contributions to arts and culture. In 2017, a well known Bollywood actor received this honour, and the event was covered widely in the Indian media. Exam questions about such awards test awareness of important personalities and their recognition by cultural or governmental bodies. Knowing which actor received the Kala Ratna Award in 2017 helps candidates connect the name with a specific year and honour in the field of cinema and arts.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks about the recipient of the Kala Ratna Award in 2017.
• The options list four prominent names: Anupam Kher, Om Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, and Prahlaj Nihalani.
• We assume that the question refers to the well publicised Kala Ratna honour announced in 2017.
• Only one of these actors was reported as receiving this award in that year.

Concept / Approach:
Anupam Kher, a veteran actor known for his extensive work in Indian and international films and for his contribution to theatre and arts, was honoured with the Kala Ratna Award in 2017. The award was presented in recognition of his long and versatile career in cinema and his role as a cultural ambassador. Although Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah are also highly respected actors, and Prahlaj Nihalani is known in film and censorship circles, the specific 2017 Kala Ratna recognition belongs to Anupam Kher. The approach is to recall this association and separate it from other awards these personalities may have received at different times.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the year 2017 and the award name Kala Ratna or Kala Ratan. Step 2: Recall media reports and general knowledge references stating that Anupam Kher received this award in 2017 for his contribution to cinema and arts. Step 3: Check the options to confirm that Anupam Kher is listed among the possible choices. Step 4: Note that Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah, while eminent, are not associated with this specific Kala Ratna honour in 2017. Step 5: Recognise that Prahlaj Nihalani is known for his role as a former chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification rather than for receiving this particular award. Step 6: Conclude that Anupam Kher is the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification can be done using newspaper archives or trusted exam prep materials that list people and awards for 2017. These sources clearly state that Anupam Kher was honoured with the Kala Ratna Award that year in recognition of his body of work in the performing arts. Cross checking with at least two independent sources ensures that this association is correct and that the other names were not mistakenly linked to the same honour in that year.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Om Puri: Although an acclaimed actor with many honours, he was not reported as the Kala Ratna Award recipient in 2017 in standard current affairs references.
Naseeruddin Shah: Another legendary actor in Indian cinema, but not the one associated with the Kala Ratna Award in the year specified in the question.
Prahlaj Nihalani: He is known more for his administrative role in film certification than for receiving the Kala Ratna Award in 2017, so this option is incorrect.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to confuse the names of several senior actors who have each received multiple awards over the years. Candidates may also be misled by their personal familiarity with certain actors and choose them without recalling the specific award year. To avoid such confusion, students should connect the phrase Kala Ratna Award 2017 specifically with Anupam Kher and remember that the other options, although famous, do not match this exact combination of award and year.

Final Answer:
The Kala Ratna Award in 2017 was conferred on veteran actor Anupam Kher for his contribution to Indian cinema and the arts.