PIFF to confer awards on Big B, Asha Bhosale

Legendaryu00a0actor Amitabh Bachchan and playback singer Asha Bhosale were yesterday named for the prestigious Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema award by the 10th edition of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF).

The award will be conferred on the two by Minister for Cultural Affairs Sanjay Devtale on Thursday on the occasion of the inauguration of PIFF 2012 at the City Pride-Kothrud Multiplex Theatre.u00a0The Sachin Dev Burman International Award for Creative Music and Sound is to be conferred on distinguished music director Ilayaaraja. PIFF is also felicitating noted actor-director Sachin Pilgaonkar for completing 50 years in cinema.u00a0

Jointly organised by the Pune Film Foundation and the state government, the inauguration will have Iceland ambassador Gudmunder Eirksson and actress Rani Mukherjee as the guests of honour.u00a0"We have received confirmation from Bachchan on Sunday," said Dr Jabbar Patel, director, PIFF, while announcing the awards.

According to Patel, people had shown reluctance to accept the lifetime achievement award as they were still active in their respective field of creativity.u00a0"We, therefore, have changed the name of the award from 'Lifetime Achievement' to 'Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema'," he said.

PIFF 2012 will present more than 240 films at six different venues in the city. Samar Nakhate, Makarand Sathe, Satish Alekar and Abhijeet Randive shortlisted the 14 international films to be shown from a total of 300 films, including an Indian film, Ami Aadu (Sound of Love) directed by Somnath Gupta.

Twenty-six films will screened for Student Competition. u00a0"So far, we have received 1,500 bookings and are expecting a total of 5,000 in the next three days," said Sabina Sanghvi, vice-chairperson, PIFF.Retrospective, Indian Cinema Today, Marathi Cinema Today, Legends and Tribute will be the other highlights of the festival.u00a0

Tribute will be paid to veteran actor-director Dev Anand, actor Ashok Kumar, Shammi Kapoor, actress Gita Day, actor John Barry, music director Bhupen Hazarika, director Mani Kaul, painter M F Hussain, actor-director Satyadev Dubey and veteran singer Pt Bhimsen Joshi by showcasing films related to these personalities, said Patel.