PIFF lifetime achievement award recipient woos Punekars by speaking in chaste Marathi u00a0 Punekars were in for a pleasant surprise at the Pune International Film Festival yesterday. Receiving the lifetime achievement award, Shashikala, who has acted in over 100 Hindi films, spoke to the over 3,000 audience sitting at the Kala Krida Manch in chaste Marathi. "I have developed stage fright and am a bit worried. I can only say Jai Maharashtra," Shashikala said. She was definitely not joking about the stage fright, considering she called the city Mayor Manmohan Singh instead of Mohansingh Rajpal. "I have a close relation with this city and after a long gap I am coming to the cultural capital of Maharahstra to receive the PIFF award. I remember shooting for Chacha Chaudhari, a remake of the Marathi super hit film Pedgaonche Shahane that was shot in Pune. I will never forget those beautiful bygone days and I thank Raja Paranjpe, my director and co-actor in the film," she said. u00a0Khayyam, who was felicitated with the S D Berman Award for Creative Music and sound, recited a few lines of a Marathi devotional song on Lord Ganesh written by lyricist Jagdish Khebudkar.u00a0 u00a0Subhash Ghai, recipient of a special PIFF award for his contribution to Indian film, remembered his days in the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). "I used to eat food and have juice at Hotel Darshan and had a brief stay at a bungalow on Prabhat Road near FTII." This was the place where his fianc ufffde Mukta, a Maharashtrian girl, lived. Ghai went on to marry Mukta and also named his film company as Mukta Arts, recalled Jabbar Patel, director of PIFF. Rs 70L for PIFF The state has given Rs 70 lakh to the PIFF this year for the international awards. "Yes I am carrying a Rs 70-lakh cheque with me and am giving it to Dr Patel at the function," said Dilip Shinde, director, cultural affairs, Maharashtra Government. Being the official festival of Maharahstra, PIFF expects Rs 1 crore every year. Kerala, West Bengal and Goa get about Rs 3 crore to Rs 5 crore from their respective governments for their festival. "We hope to get Rs 1 crore from the state government next year," Dr Patel said. Kalmadi's absence For the first time Suresh Kalmadi was not present at the inaugural function of the PIFF. Kalmadi initiated the festival in the city in 2002. "Kalmadi has sent his best wishes to the festival. He was not able to attend the function owing to assignments in Delhi," Dr Patel said. Kalmadi's wife Meera Kalmadi played the role of the hostess and felicitated and honoured the award winners on the dais. (With inputs from M Pavitra)

PIFF lifetime achievement award recipient woos Punekars by speaking in chaste Marathi

Shashikala's Marathi act at PIFF impresses audience

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Shashikala's Marathi act at PIFF impresses audience

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