MUMBAI: Filmmaker Shyam Benegal has been presented with the South Asian Cinema Foundation‘s Excellence in Cinema Award in London. The director was chosen for the award for his contribution to the Indian Cinema.

Rita Bhagwati, wife of the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Dr Jaimini, presented the award to Benegal at British Film Institute (BFI). The citation described Benegal as ‘the pioneer of the new Indian Cinema Movement‘.

"I am absolutely delighted at this award and I will continue to make films. Any award is a kind of recognition. I accept it with great delight and pleasure. I still have a long way to go. For me it is important," Benegal said after receiving the award.

Bhumika and Junoon, two of the director‘s named works, were also screened on the occasion.

Benegal is the sixth filmmaker SACF has honoured so far. Previous recipients of the award include MS Sathyu (2004), Adoor Gopalakrishnan (2006), Saeed Akhtar Mirza (2008), Girish Kasaravalli (2009) and Gulzar(2010).