Big B, Asha felicitated on opening day of PIFF

Bachchan received the award at the hands of noted actor Shriram Lagoo who felicitated him with a `Pagdi` (a traditional Pune headgear). Asha was given the award by renowned music director IIlaiyaraaja, who himself was honoured with the S D Burman Award for Creative Music.

Bollywood actress Rani Mukherjee felicitated actor-director Sachin Pilgoankar for completing fifty years of his career, after starting out as a child artist.

Replying to the felicitation, Bachchan said apart from the number of films which he had shot in the city, "Pune holds a special place in my life because it was here that I met Jaya and decided to marry her".

Asha Bhosale said, "I am proud of being a Marathi and of my association with Pune." IIayaraaja described her as "a fantastic singer". "It is challenging to work with her as she catches ideas of composers very fast," he said.