MUMBAI: In recent times, Marathi films have been gaining popularity the world over, what with the immense critical acclaim of films like Mee Shivajirao Bhonsle Boltoy and Mee Sindhutai Sapkal among others.

So much is the popularity that the first Marathi International Film and Theatre Awards (MIFTA) will be held on 17 December at Dubai. And the organisers have decided to honour Amitabh Bachchan who will be the guest at the event.

MIFTA is the brainchild of Indian actor-director Mahesh Manjrekar. He said, "At one point, Marathi films were a pioneer in bringing good cinema into India. We should not forget that Dada Saheb Phalke pioneered filmmaking in India by making the first feature film. But with Mumbai‘s Hindi-language Bollywood industry getting global attention in recent years, Marathi films have taken something of a backseat.”

Films like Harishchandrachi Factory, Vihir, Lalbaug-Parel, and Gabhricha Paus among others, and acclaimed plays White Lilly and Night Rider, Katkon Trikon, U-Turn and Mann Udhan Varyache, will compete for top prizes at MIFTA.

The show, supported by the likes of Salman Khan and Farah Khan, will have Marathi film stars including Nana Patekar, Atul Kulkarni, Vikram Ghokale and Sachin Khedekar gracing the evening.