Shabana Azmi honoured at Marathi Film Awards

The 48th Marathi film awards' function was held yesterday (May 1), in the backdrop of the majestic Gateway of India, South Mumbai. The Maharashtra Government honoured a lot of film personalities.

Director and cinematographer Govind Nihalani was honoured with the Raj Kapoor Lifetime Achievement award, while actress Shabana Azmi was bestowed an award for her special contribution to the industry.

Director Jabbar Patel was presented the V Shantaram lifetime achievement award and Producer Smitha Talwalker swept away the V Shantaram special contribution award. Other awards included Prabhakar Panshikar award, which was bestowed to veteran Marathi stage artiste Sulabha Deshpande. Fayyaz was presented with Balwant Pandurang and Annasaheb Kirloskar memorial award for her music.

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar presented the awards to the awardees. It is also reported that the awards' function will be taken to an international level in future. There will also be a considerable increment in the prize money presented to the awardees.

Bollywood biggies like Aamir Khan, director Ashutosh Gowarikar, Yash Raj, Rekha and Gulzar were also graced with these awards earlier.