Renowned Indian actress Rekha will be awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at Dubai International Film Festival (Diff) for her 40-year career and participation in more than 180 films.
The 13th edition of Diff will run between December 7-14 at Madinat Jumeirah.
Rekha said she is “deeply touched and humbled” by the gesture.
“I have a special place in my heart for the UAE and it is commendable that Diff is recognising and honouring us artists and filmmakers from all over the world,” she said.
The 62-year-old film star was born to actor parents and started her career during childhood. She made her Bollywood debut as the lead in Sawan Bhadon in 1970.
Rekha is known for playing strong lead characters and has won several awards for her work, including an Indian National Film Award for Best Actress for her role in Umrao Jaan (1981), and a Padma Shri (awarded by the Government of India) for her contributions to Indian cinema. Earlier this year, she was presented a Yash Chopra Memorial Award.
“[T]his year we are honoured to be recognising the incredible achievements of Rekha. She has played an instrumental role in the evolution of Hindi cinema … and has rightfully earned the recognition she has seen all over the world, including here in the UAE,” said Diff chairman, Abdul Hamid Juma.
Previous recipients include Omar Sharif, Catherine Deneuve, Faten Hamamah, Adel Imam, Jameel Rateb, Sabah, Morgan Freeman, Sean Penn, Shah Rukh Khan, Daoud Abdel Sayed, Youssef Chahine, Rachid Bouchareb, Martin Sheen, Nabil Al Maleh, Oliver Stone, Danny Glover, Terry Gilliam, Yash Chopra, Subhash Ghai, Mahmoud Abdul Aziz and Sami Bouajila.
Diff registration for professionals is now open. Film ticket packages (10 for Dh275, 25 for Dh550, and a red-carpet package with seven gala tickets for Dh500) are available at diff.ae.
