Nagesh Kukunoor's was recently honoured at Palm Spring International Film Festival (held from Jan 3-13, 2014) for his film ‘Lakshmi’.

The film, which was premiered at the event, won the Audience Award for best narrative feature, based on viewers’ votes at the festival. Directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, ‘Lakshmi’ is based on human trafficking and it is the story of a frightening reality that haunts women from deprived backgrounds. A hero in a land filled with cowards, whose courage and determination finally triumphs over evil.

According to the event’s official website, PSIFF screened 191 films from 60 countries, including 46 of the 76 foreign language entries for this year’s Oscars.

Presented by Jayantilal Gada (pen) and produced by UV News Media & Communication Ltd & A Kukunoor Movies Production, ‘Lakshmi’ stars Monali Thakur, Shefali Shah, actor-producer Satish Kaushik and Ram Kapoor. The film is slated to release on January 17, 2014.