Celebrated Hollywood actor Michael Douglas will be conferred with the prestigious Satyajit Ray Excellence in Film Lifetime Award at the upcoming 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, Union Minister Anurag Thakur confirmed.
Thakur posted on X: "I'm delighted to announce that Michael Douglas, the distinguished Hollywood Actor and Producer, will be honoured with the prestigious Satyajit Ray Excellence in Film Lifetime Award at the 54th International Film Festival Goa."
"His deep love for our country, is well known, and we look forward to welcome him, Catherine Zeta Jones and their son, to the most prominent Film Festival in South Asia to showcase our rich cinematic culture and unique traditions at #IFFI54!!" he said.
"A heartfelt welcome to Bharat and IFFIGoa," the Indian Minister said.
Indian producer and founder of Percept Ltd. and the Sunburn music festival Shailendra Singh, who is celebrating his 25 years in the Indian Film Industry, will also be in attendance.
What is Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award?
The Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award, instituted in the 30th IFFI in 1999, is presented to individuals whose exceptional contributions have significantly enriched and elevated the world of cinema.
Michael Douglas: A remarkable career
Michael Douglas has enjoyed a remarkable career, earning two Academy Awards, five Golden Globe Awards, and an Emmy Award.
His roles in films such as “Wall Street (1987)", "Basic Instinct (1992)”, “Falling Down (1993)”, "The American President (1995)", “Traffic (2000)” and “Behind the Candelabra (2013)” have left an imprint on cinema history.
He has also produced a number of critically acclaimed films, such as “One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)”, “The China Syndrome (1979)”, and “The Game (1999)”.
In 1998, he was appointed the UN Messenger of Peace for his commitment to disarmament issues, including nuclear non-proliferation and halting the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons.
Notably, he was awarded the honorary Palm D'Or at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, a testament to his enduring influence on the global film fraternity.
He is married to Catherine Zeta Jones, an accomplished actress in her own right.
In a noteworthy event earlier this year, Michael Douglas was honored at the India Pavilion in Marche Du Film, during the Cannes Film Festival, underscoring his global impact on the film industry.
As part of the 54th IFFI, Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones will also be participating in a special In Conversation session hosted by the National Award-winning film producer, Shailendra Singh.
Singh, known for his contributions to Indian cinema, is the founder of Percept Ltd. and the Sunburn music festival.
His critically acclaimed productions, including "Phir Milenge" (2004) and "Kanchivaram" (2008), have garnered widespread recognition and a National Film Award for Best Film (Kanchivaram).
The Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award has previously honoured luminaries such as Bernardo Bertolucci (IFFI 30), Carlos Saura (IFFI 53), Martin Scorsese (IFFI 52), Dilip Kumar (IFFI 38), Krzysztof Zanussi (IFFI 43), and Wong Kar-wai (IFFI 45), among other major film personalities.
