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Mumbai, Feb 23 (Ians) Veteran filmmaker J.P. Dutta, who has made films such as ‘Border’, ‘Loc Kargil’ and ‘Refugee’, was conferred with the prestigious Maharashtra Bhushan Raj Kapoor Award for his exceptional contributions to Indian cinema.

Filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra received the prestigious Raj Kapoor Special Contribution Award by Maharashtra Government’s Cultural Division at the Maharashtra Bhushan Awards for his contribution.

Dutta was feted by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. The honour was given to him at the award ceremony held in Mumbai.

The ‘Border’ director said: “This recognition means everything as it comes from the place I was born and brought up in. This state, this city is my home and there is nothing bigger than to be honoured by your home. Also for a boy who started his career from Rk film studios to be given an award named after Raj Kapoor is a feeling I can’t put into words.

Here's a casting coup of sorts that has got everyone surprised -- veteran Indian actress Dimple Kapadia in a Christopher Nolan film. While the National Award-winning actress, who has been a part of showbiz since 1973, was initially hesitant to take on the role, she left the casting team mighty impressed.

Mumbai-based talent manager Purvi Lavingia Vats, who was the conduit between Dimple and Nolan's casting team, told Ians: "I pitched Dimple for the part and things fell into place. While the prospect of working with Christopher Nolan sounded very exciting, she was a bit hesitant in the beginning as there was not much information on the role. I still sent footage of her work to the casting office and they really liked what they saw. After a more detailed brief was sent to us, she then decided to audition.

"The casting director was then flown from Los Angeles to...