Pune, Jan 11 (IANS) Yesteryears star Shammi Kapoor and Sharmila Tagore have been honoured with lifetime achievement awards for their contribution to Indian cinema at the start of the sixth Pune International Film Festival (PIFF).

The PIFF took off Thursday evening, the venue Ganesha Kala Krida Manch echoed with classical melodies of Shammi Kapoor and Sharmila Tagore who gave several hits together like 'Kashmir Ki Kali' and 'An Evening in Paris'.

In a baby pink silk sari, the actress looked as graceful as ever while the bubbly boy of 70s seemed to love the attention showered on him.

The Pune crowd, however, was bowled over by Nana Patekar, who was a last minute surprise at the function.

For this year's festival, 15 films out of 145 entries from 43 countries have been short listed by the jury for the international section. Eight Marathi films have been also short-listed. In all, 170 movies will be screened during the seven-day festival.

PIFF is the first film festival in India to introduce cash prizes in its competition section. This year Rs.3.2 million will be awarded in cash prizes.

'With 145 films from 43 countries PIFF is truly an international film festival,' said Suresh Kalmadi, PIFF chairman.

As the Chinese film 'Teeth of Love' started the festival, there were many international directors and actors present.

'The Pune International Film Festival has lots of youngsters participating; average age of dignitaries is 22,' Jabbar Patel, director PIFF, pointed out.