Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah honors Shabana Azmi for her iconic contribution to Indian Cinema

Shabana Azmi with Karnataka CM

At the 16th International Film Festival held in Bengaluru, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah presented the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award to the iconic Indian actress and multilingual artist, Shabana Azmi. The ceremony took place at the Kaveri Residence, where she was honoured for her remarkable contribution to Indian cinema. Along with the award, she was also presented with a cheque of Rs 10 lakh. Her husband, the renowned poet and lyricist Javed Akhtar, was also present at the event, adding to the star-studded atmosphere.

During the ceremony, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah spoke fondly of Shabana's illustrious career, recalling her role in the iconic visual poem, Mile Sur Mera Tumhara. He shared, "We really love the visual poem, Mile Sur Mera Tumhara. I have seen you in it," emphasizing her impact on Indian cinema and culture.

Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar took the opportunity to praise Karnataka’s rich cultural and musical heritage. Shabana Azmi, known for her powerful performances in both Hindi and regional cinema, expressed admiration for the state’s artistic traditions, while Javed Akhtar acknowledged the role of Karnataka in shaping India's cultural landscape.

In response, Siddaramaiah highlighted Karnataka’s contribution to Hindustani classical music, noting that legendary musicians like Bhimsen Joshi, Kumar Gandharva, and Gangubai Hangal hailed from Dharwad, a region renowned for its classical music heritage. He further assured that, in light of the importance of artists, he would advocate for more artist-friendly policies in the GST Council, emphasizing the need for taxation approaches that benefit performing artists and musicians.

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The event was attended by several prominent figures, including Government Secretary Kaveri, Chief Minister’s Media Advisor KV Prabhakar, and Information and Public Relations Commissioner Hemant Nimbalkar. Additionally, Additional Chief Secretary LK Atheeq, Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy President Sadhu Kokila, and Vidya Shankar, Artistic Director of the Film Festival, were present to extend their respects.

Amidst this celebration, Azmi's latest series, Dabba Cartel, which is currently streaming on Netflix, continues to garner attention, albeit with mixed reviews. Nonetheless, her legacy as one of India’s finest actresses remains unmatched.