Synopsis
On March 10, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah awarded Shabana Azmi the Lifetime Achievement Award during the 16th Bengaluru International Film Festival. The event highlighted her significant contributions to cinema over the last 50 years and included a cheque of Rs 10 lakh. Javed Akhtar also attended the ceremony.Key Takeaways
- Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Shabana Azmi.
- A cheque of Rs 10 lakh was awarded alongside the honor.
- Shabana Azmi debuted in Kannada cinema with Kanneswara Rama in the 1970s.
- Efforts are underway to advocate for artist-friendly GST policies.
- The Karnataka government plans to establish a world-class film city in Mysuru.
Bengaluru, March 10 (NationPress) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award to Shabana Azmi on Monday, honoring the iconic Indian actress and multilingual artist at the Kaveri residence during the 16th Bengaluru International Film Festival.
A cheque of Rs 10 lakh accompanied the award. The renowned poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar graced the event with his presence.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah reminisced about watching Shabana Azmi in the visual poem Mile Sur Mera Tumhara, which he noted as one of his cherished pieces.
Shabana Azmi made her initial mark in Sandalwood during the 1970s with the film Kanneswara Rama, captivating the hearts of Kannada cinema enthusiasts, Siddaramaiah remarked.
She has since become a prominent figure in both South Indian and Hindi cinema. This accolade, recognizing her nearly 50 years of contributions to the cinematic arts, further enhances the award's prestige, he noted.
Both Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar praised Karnataka for its rich cultural heritage and significant contributions to music.
In return, Siddaramaiah pointed out that Karnataka has birthed legendary Hindustani musicians like Bhimsen Joshi, Kumar Gandharva, and Gangubai Hangal, all of whom originate from Dharwad, a source of immense pride for the state.
The Chief Minister also remarked that just as copyright laws have benefitted artists and musicians, efforts will be made to advocate for similar advantages in the GST system to aid artists.
Government Secretary Kaveri, Chief Minister’s Media Advisor K.V. Prabhakar, and Commissioner of the Department of Information and Public Relations, Hemant Nimbalkar, welcomed Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar.
Additional Chief Secretary L.K. Atheeq, Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy President Sadhu Kokila, and Artistic Director of the 16th International Film Festival Vidyashankar were also present to honor this significant occasion.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah inaugurated the 16th Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFES) at the grand steps of Vidhana Soudha on March 1.
He announced plans for a world-class film city in Mysuru, with 150 acres of land already designated for this endeavor.
The Chief Minister stressed that international film festivals encapsulate global culture and should be utilized to create impactful cinema.
“Karnataka is a land filled with immense opportunities. To bolster our film industry, we are developing a state-of-the-art film city in Mysuru. I envision this facility encouraging the creation of world-class films that harmoniously merge human values with cutting-edge technology,” he stated.
