And there was quite a bit of nostalgia when Nair, whose The Namesake is showing in more than 200 theaters in North America in its 12th week, thanked Bollywood for giving her a raft of great artists -- from Naseeruddin Shah to Irrfan Khan to Tabu -- who have appeared in her films. India, with its heart as bountiful as an ocean, has always provided inspiration for her work said Nair whose first feature film, the Oscar nominated Salaam Bombay! was shot in the city of its title.
Nair received her Pride of India from Danny Glover (Lethal Weapon, Dreamgirls, and the recent Shooter). The veteran Hollywood actor, active in anti-apartheid causes, and a backer of small budget, independent films -- including recent festival favourite Bamako -- was given an award for global entertainment and understanding.
Glover, one of the highest paid Hollywood character actors -- who received over $8 million for the 1998 hit Lethal Weapon 4 -- is one of the most outspoken of actors. He is also a friend of Cuba's Fidel Castro and Venezuela's Hugo Chavez. He has said on many occasions: 'Every day of my life I walk with the idea I am black, no matter how successful I am.'
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