Pune: "I have received many awards in the past but receiving an award at the film festival which is dedicated to Dr Shriram Lagoo is special and it has some emotions attached to it. I was very close to Dr. Lagoo and I have watched his work for over 40 years and analysed it. His death was my personal loss," said national award winner veteran actor, Vikram Gokhale while speaking at the unveiling of the 18th Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) organized by Pune Film Foundation and Maharashtra Government on Friday at Balgandharva Rangamandir, Jangli Maharaj Road, Pune.

Gokhale was honoured with the prestigious PIFF Distinguished Award at the event along with B.P. Singh, FTII Chairman and the creator of the popular TV series, CID. The S. D. Burman International Award for Creative Music and Sound was conferred upon music director Usha Khanna. The award was received by her family member in her absence. The awards were given at the hands of Amit Deshmukh, Minister of Cultural Affairs, Maharashtra in presence of Dr. Jabbar Patel, Director, PIFF, Ravi Gupta, Secretary, PIFF, Muralidhar Mohol, Mayor.