Pune International Film Festival

Seventh Pune International Film Festival begins

Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting Anand Sharma lighting the lamp to inaugurate the seventh Pune International Film Festival (PIFF 2009) in Pune on January 8, 2009. Indian Olympic Association Chairman Suresh Kalmadi is also seen.

Pune: Seventh Pune International Film Festival, in which entries from 42 countries will be screened, got underway at a glittering function here last evening. Eminent personalities from the world of film and politics attended this gala event. 'Lifetime Achievement Awards' were presented to veteran Bollywood actors Sulochana, Shashi Kapoor and Hema Malini for their contribution to Indian cinema. Bollywood Actor,

Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting Anand Sharma presenting the Lifetime Achievement Award to veteran actress Hema Malini at the inauguration of the seventh Pune International Film Festival (PIFF 2009) in Pune on January 8, 2009. Indian Olympic Association Chairman Suresh Kalmadi is also seen.

Hema Malini felt elated to receive the award before an appreciative audience, described as the cradle of Indian culture. "I am feeling very proud to receive this award because Pune is such a good centre for art and culture. People from Pune have always appreciated my dance performance whenever I have performed there and to receive this award in front of them makes me very proud,' said Hema Malini. The film festival, which concludes on January 15, will showcase around 150 films from about 42 countries. In World Competition Section, 109 films from 30 countries would be screened. Award-winning French-Iranian-English animation film 'Persepolis' was screened at the inaugural ceremony.
-Jan 8, 2009