From Bollywood and Beyond

With her film Dabangg receiving the National Award for the Best Popular Film providing Wholesome Entertainment,this year,it came as no surprise that Sonakshi Sinha was the chief guest at the National Film Festival,2011,that began at Siri Fort auditorium,on Friday. Dressed in pale blue salwar kameez,the actor spoke to the audience in flawless Hindi. “I’m honoured to be at the opening of such a prestigious festival. The amount of love I have received from the audience is breathtaking and I’m eternally grateful to all of you,” she gushed. Also in attendance was Nagraj Manjule,director of Pistulya,a film that won him the National Award for the Best Debut Non-Feature Film,and CM Jatua,Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting.

Organised by the Directorate of Film Festivals,Government of India,the festival features films that won a National Award for 2010. The screenings will take place at Siri Fort auditorium,every weekend,till July 16. “The National Awards have made it clear that the strength of Indian cinema lies in regional cinema and big budgets aren’t essential for a film’s success,” said Jatua.