MUMBAI: Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar has been selected to receive the State Award awarded by the Maharashtra government, this year.

Says Bhandarkar, “I am among the nine people selected from diverse fields to receive this award. Christened the Sahyadri Navaratna Award, the State Government Award is given for artistes’ contribution to society. I am being given the award for my contribution to Hindi cinema. The award function will be held on 5 May 2007 in Mumbai.”

Bhandarkar is the receipient of the National Award for his films like Chandni Bar and Page 3. The filmmaker is currently scripting his forthcoming film Fashion, which will offer a peek into the world of the fashion industry.