DIFF to honour Shatrughan Sinha with Lifetime Achievement award

The second edition of the Delhi International Film Festival (DIFF), starting on 21 December will honour veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha with a Lifetime Achievement award for his contribution to Indian cinema and politics. “The 68-year-old actor-politician will be awarded for his valuable contribution to Indian cinema and politics,” said a statement from the DIFF. The actor, who turned a year older on 9 December, has been a part of the film industry since 1970. Lovingly called Shotgun, he is known for films like Kalicharan, Blackmail, Mere Apne, Dostana and Shaan among many others. Later, he ventured into politics. DIFF 2013 will open with the screening of the Sri Lankan film Sri Siddhartha Gautama based on the life of Gautam Buddha. The fest's forthcoming edition promises to feature over 170 films in as many as 18 categories. Rekha and Farooque Sheikh-starrer Umrao Jaan, directed by Muzaffar Ali, will have a special screening. A total of 25 awards will be distributed at the gala under categories such as best film, best world film, NRI films, face of the year, singer of the year, band of the year and poet of the year. The festival will conclude on 27 December with the screening of director Ariel Cohen's Israeli film Take Mama followed by the awards ceremony.