Marathi film awards announced

Dombivili Fast was adjudged the best Marathi film by the Maharashtra government, while the film Pak Pak Pakak won the best film award as the best social film.

The 43rd Marathi film awards were given at a glittering ceremony last night at the Dadaji Kondadeo stadium. Present on the occasion were Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, cultural affairs minister Ashok Chavan, and film personalities Amol Palekar and Helen.

Dombivili Fast won a total of five awards in various categories, while Pak Pak Pakak won as many as eight awards. In the rural category the best film award went to Kunku Zale Vairi. Mohan Joshi and Deepali Bhosle won the best actor awards.

Speaking on the occasion Vilasrao Deshmukh asked people of Maharashtra to encourage the Marathi film industry.

He said mere assistance to the Marathi films was not sufficient and what is needed is giving opportunities to the artists and encouraging them all the times.

It was a pleasant surprise for the people of this historical city to have a glimpse of the actress of yesteryears Helen. When the compere asked her, what she should be addressed Helen promptly said "aunty." After the awards were given the compere asked Helen to speak a few words in Marathi, to which the actress exclaimed, "Jai Maharashtra!"