MUMBAI: Indian cinema celebrated its centenary with a gala show in South Africa in which 100 awards were given to individuals and organisations which have played a role in promoting the music and dance of the films in South Africa.

"We are likely to never again in our lifetimes see a gathering like this of every senior artist from the Gauteng province joining social welfare organisations, promoters of Indian live shows and print and electronic media," Kishore Badal, who coordinated the artists for the show, has been quoted to have said.

The concept of the Indian Cinema Centenary Awards was initiated by South Africa‘s foremost Bollywood critic and writer, Fakir Hassen, who has written two books on his encounters with people from the Indian film industry for almost four decades.

His latest book 250 Bollywood Encounters recounts tales of the ups and downs of that number of people from the Indian film industry whom he has met and interviewed.

"With strong support from the Indian High Commission and South African Indian business sector, the first objective has ensured books being placed in schools and libraries across the country," quipped Hassen.