7th MAMI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL CONCLUDES
Glowing Tributes Paid to Amrish Puri

The 7th MAMI International Film Festival concluded on January 13th with glowing tributes paid to the late Amrish Puri. Naseeruddin Shah who received the award for 25 years contribution to Indian Cinema dedicated the award to the late veteran. Also felicitated on the occasion was singer Manna Dey who was honoured with an award for his outstanding contribution to Indian film music. However, Manna Dey could not be present to receive the award. Earlier during the inaugural ceremony, on the 6th of January, veteran actor Shammi Kapoor was felicitated with the MAMI Lifetime Achievement Award. Babubhai Mistry was honoured with the Kodak Award for Technical Excellence, comprising a Cheque of Rs. 1 lakh along with Malayalam actor Mohanlal and director Adoor Gopalakrishnan for significant contribution to Indian Cinema.

After observing a two-minute silence, the Chairman of the MAMI Festival Shyam Benegal recalled the days when he first worked with Amirsh Puri in NISHANT and how their association further strengthened with the passage of time. The Chief Coordinator of the Festival Govind Swaroop said that there was barely a year when Amrish Puri was not present at the festivals. Today his absence has created a void in the festivities.

It may be recalled that Amrish Puri was honoured with the MAMI Lifetime Achievement Award at the 5th Festival. The weeklong festival, which began with Australian film maker Paul Cox's HUMAN TOUCH, concluded with the French film MY IDOL. The FIPRESCI award for the best film went to Sonali Bose's directed AMU, while Anup Kurian's MANSAROVAR bagged the best film award in the Indian competitive section.

Atul Kulkarni was honoured with a special jury award for his outstanding performance in MANSAROVAR and the Marathi film DEVRAI.

In all the Festival showcased 125 films from 30 countries.