Deputy Chief Minister Chhagan Bhujbal on Thursday batted for Marathi actress Sulochana to be given the Dadasaheb Phalke award. He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the eighth Pune International Film Festival (PIFF), inaugurated by Union Minister for State, External Affairs and Information and Broadcasting Anand Sharma at the Ganesh Kala Krida Manch on Thursday.

Bhujbal said, “Shashi Kapoor and Sulochana have made valuable contributions to the film industry. Their work should be appreciated at the national level too by awarding them the Dadasaheb Phalke award.” While Sulochana was in the race for the Dadasaheb Phalke award last year, it was said that she lost it because the state representatives in Parliament did not push enough for her. Bhujbal’s statement assumes significance in this backdrop.

On the occasion, three prominent personalities from the film field — Sulochana, Shashi Kapoor and Hema Malini — were conferred the Life Time Achievement Awards

Sharma, while talking to the reporters after the function, said that he would take up the issue with the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

Chairman of PIFF and MP Suresh Kalmadi has demanded that the festival be termed as the official festival of the state. Replying to this, state culture minister Harshawardhan Patil said, “We will definitely take up the matter with the chief minister.”

This year’s festival is dedicated to Bharat Ratna Pt Bhimsen Joshi. Joshi’s son Shreenivas, who paid a musical tribute to his father, accepted the felicitation on his behalf from Sharma. Praising Pt Joshi’s contributions, Sharma called him a true Bharat Ratna.

Sharma urged filmmakers to make more meaningful cinema focussing on social issues.

“I am happy to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award with the old time colleagues Shashi Kapoor and Hema Malini,” said Sulochana. Sharing the sentiment, Malini said, “It gives a sense of fulfillment.”