Shatrughan Sinha to get Lifetime Achievement Award in DIFF

New Delhi: The second edition of Delhi International Film Festival (DIFF) will start from December 21 where veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha will be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to cinema.

The seven day festival will open with Sri Lanka`s critically acclaimed film `Sri Siddhartha Gautama` at the NDMC Convention Center. The festival will hold a special screening of Muzaffar Ali`s `Umrao Jaan`. It will also have poetry, art, fashion and singing events apart from the screenings of 171 films from 39 countries. "DIFF 2013 is not only India`s but also world`s first film festival that has so many sections and dimensions to it," said Tigmanshu Dhulia, who was present at the event today. Gagan Malik, the lead actor from the film `Sri Siddhartha Gautama`, said he was happy that his film was opening DIFF. "It gives me great pleasure in knowing that the festival will begin with a film that gives the message of world peace and unity," Gagan said. The innaugration ceremony of the film festival is expected to be attended by Raj Babbar, Mira Ali, Sri Lankan Minister of Cultural Affairs and Cultural Heritage Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Israeli filmmakers Dan Wolman and Benny Torati among others.