Malini wins Silver Peacock for Akasa Kusum

India: Queen of the Sinhala Cinema Malini Senehelatha Fonseka bagged yet another international award for her performance in ‘Akasa Kusum’ at the 39th International Film Festival of India yesterday.

Malini Fonseka was presented a Silver Peacock and a cash award of Rs.1.5 million as she bagged a Special Jury Award at the International Indian Film Festival.

Fonseka after receiving her award said that her film was an India Sri Lanka co-production and the time has come for a closer relationship between the two countries. She also hoped for peace and happiness everywhere in these troubled times.

‘Akasa Kusum’ a film directed by veteran film director Prasanna Withanage had its first international screening on October 05, 2008 in Pusan, with the film being exhibited in three different cinemas simultaneously.

In this movie Malini plays the leading role of an actress named Sandya Rani.

Malini says that her role in Akasa Kusum is one of her most favourite roles. Fonseka was the first Sri Lankan actress to reach international heights, winning awards at the Moscow International Film Festival in 1975 and the New Delhi Film Festival in 1977.

Director Sergei Dvortsevoy bagged the best film award with the Golden Peacock and a cash award of 4 million for the Kazakhstan film ‘Tulpan’.

The five Member competition jury was headed by the noted Director from Hong Kong Mr. Peter Chan.

Other members of the jury are Mr. Marco Mueller (Venice), Ms. Niki Karimi (Iran), Mr. Lav Diaz (Philippines) and Ms. Tabassum Hashmi (Tabu- India). Two Indian entries S.

Priyadarshan’s Tamil film “Kanchivaram” and Ramesh Laxman More’s acclaimed Marathi film “Mahasatta” were in the “competition” section among 13 other films chosen from Bangladesh, Russia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, Iran, the Philippines, Argentina, China and Japan.

The Chief Guest at the closing ceremony was noted Film Actor Shri Kamal Hasan. Hasan said that despite setbacks and dark moments normal life must go on. He congratulated the organizer for putting together such a rich collection of movies.

Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Digambar Kamat in his remarks said that IFFI 2008 was a landmark event. He said that Government of Goa is keen to develop the State as a hub of entertainment industry. He said that additional multiplexes and other facilities are being created in Mudgaon.

The closing ceremony started with a minute of silence in memory of victims of the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai.