KOLKATA: The Black Lady is the dream of many in the Indian film industry. For years, she has been the epitome of good talent in cinema. Now, the people belonging to the Eastern region will have an opportunity to own the Black Lady – the Filmfare Award. The first Vivel Filmfare Awards 2013 for the eastern region was announced in Kolkata with an aim to recognise the cinematic excellence in the Bengali, Oriya and Assamese films.

Renowned Bengali actor Prosenjit Chatterjee along with ITC Limited chief executive, personal care products business Sandeep Kaul and Worldwide Media, the publishers of Filmfare Magazine in Kolkata, chief executive officer Tarun Rai unveiled the iconic Black Lady on Saturday.

“The Black Lady took 60 years to come to eastern region. We are working hard to finalise the list. Starting from the announcement with a press conference, we shall undertake 360 degree media campaigns including Times of India brand to promote the event,” said Rai.

“This is the first year of Vivel Filmfare Awards in the east. We feel that we should have been here sooner. For long, we have wanted to come here since Bengali cinema has contributed immensely to Indian and world cinema,” said Rai.

The emphasis during the announcement was on the importance of stalwarts that the eastern region has produced. It has been the cradle of Indian cinema with stalwarts like Bimal Roy, Satyajit Ray, Kishore Kumar, RD Burman among others who have created celluloid history with national and international acclaim. Last year itself Bengal made more than 100 movies. The awards are a way to recognise the growing talent of the region. There would be around 21 categories in Bengali awards category. While for Oriya and Assamese, there would be four categories each.

“The 29 awards that will be handed over in various categories include 21 trophies for Bengali movies and four each for Oriya and Assamese films respectively,” said Rai.

In the Assamese and Oriya segments, the four awards including Popular, Technical, Debut and Critics will be given to the four popular categories only.

Prosenjit Chatterjee said though eastern region produced greatest of the talents in the film industry “we were away and not looked upon.”

“Bengali cinema has crossed the golden era,” added Chatterjee.

Filmfare Awards, established in the year 1953, may look at awarding the Bhojpuri and Bangladeshi films too in the time to come.

However, for the time being the Black Lady is set to enter the eastern region film industry on 29 March.