Diverse Career of Rekha Celebrated With Prestigious DIFF Lifetime Achievement Award

The Hindi screen legend’s wide-ranging and exciting career spanning 40 years and 180 films will be honoured at DIFF 2016

Dubai, UAE, 27 October 2016:  The 13th edition of the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) is honoured to announce the recipient of this year’s renowned Indian Lifetime Achievement Award is the respected actress Rekha. With a varied and hugely successful career spanning four decades, Rekha will be presented with the award at this year’s Festival, running 7-14 December, in recognition of her versatility and accredited contributions to Hindi cinema. 

Following in the inspirational footsteps of her parents, who were both actors, Rekha was devoted to her passion from an early age. She started her acting career as a child in Telugu films and continued on to make her debut as a lead in the Bollywood film, Sawan Bhadon (1970). Forty years on and the dedicated actress has now starred in more than 180 films throughout her varied career, receiving multiple awards and accolades along the way. 

Often playing strong female leads, Rekha is recognized as one of the greatest actresses in Hindi cinema and has gone on to win three Filmfare Awards, two for Best Actress and one for Best Supporting Actress, for her roles in Khubsoorat (1980), Khoon Bhari Maang (1988) and Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996). Her eminent career has also seen her win the National Film Award for Best Actress for her impressive portrayal of a classic courtesan in Umrao Jaan (1981). In 2010, the Government of India awarded her with the prestigious Padma Shri, to highlight her notable impact in the world of Indian cinema. 

DIFF’s Chairman, Abdulhamid Juma commented on the prestigious award: “The world of film relies on the committed and talented individuals who work hard to inspire and influence the growth of the film industry. It is the passion and unfaltering dedication of these individuals that the DIFF Lifetime Achievement Award pays homage to, and this year we are honoured to be recognising the incredible achievements of Rekha. She has played an instrumental role in the evolution of Hindi cinema, sustaining her legendary status throughout an astounding forty year career, and has rightfully earned the recognition she has seen all over the world, including here in the UAE.”

Rekha spoke about what it means to receive such a renowned award: “I am deeply touched and humbled by this gracious gesture of the Dubai International Film Festival. I have a special place in my heart for the UAE and it is commendable that DIFF is recognising and honouring us artistes and filmmakers from all over the world. It is because of such honours that are bestowed upon us that we artistes are inspired and aspire to do better than our best. I thank DIFF once again for this award."

DIFF’s Lifetime Achievement Award is devoted to honouring the globe’s finest film industry actors, writers, directors and producers. Previous honourees 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 El-Maleh, Oliver Stone, Danny Glover, Terry Gilliam, Yash Chopra, Subhash Ghai, Mahmoud Abdel Aziz and Sami Bouajila.

Tickets are on sale now for the 13th edition of the Dubai International Film Festival which will take place from the 7th December – 14th December, 2016. For more information on ticket packages and registration for media, students and industry professionals, visit the DIFF website at diff.ae