Mumbai, October 2014:The 16th edition of the Mumbai film festival organized by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) will have a sparkling touch this year. The renowned jewellery designer and adornologist Varuna D Jani has graciously volunteered to design and craft the 15 coveted award trophies for the festival, to be held from 14-21 October 2014 at PVR Cinemas in Andheri, Cinemax,Versova and Chandan Cinemas in Juhu. 

MAMI trophies are sought-after awards and are treasured for a lifetime as they depict the artist’s contribution to Indian cinema. Inspired by this Varuna has created exquisite trophies distinguished by her craftsmanship which is unique and contemporary. This is the first time that a jewellery designer has designed the award for the festival.

The trophy resonates the inherent attributes of the festival and its symbolic mascot the phoenix. The Mumbai Film festival has gained a position over the years is at the pinnacle of recognition, status and popularity, and this year’s trophy represents that in its design and intent. The trophy plaque is crystal with a gold and silver plated Phoenix (the emblem of MAMI) which is an enduring allegorical symbol, symbolizing rebirth, renewal or uniqueness. At the threshold of the trophy is the designer’s logo with two real diamond drops placed on the tips of the V wing on each side completing the symmetry of the design.

Says,ace jewellery designer and adornologist, Varuna D Jani “It is an honour and a privilege to have received this opportunity to design this prestigious trophy for MAMI. I was very excited and inspired to create and design the trophy. I hope I have imbibed in it the pride and the prestige that is associated with this magnificent festival.”

Mr Srinivassan Narayan, Festival Director, Mumbai Film Festival said, “We thank Varuna D Jani for her support towards the Mumbai Film festival. That a designer of her calibre has agreed to design our award trophies is a matter of pride for us. The final trophy is spectacular as is the design input put in by her. This year’s award recipients will be the envy of many as they will get to take the coveted trophy home.”

The trophy exudes a royal charm with crystal base and gold and silver plating. Equal emphasis has been given to the back and front of the trophy making it a piece of art. With fine engravings of letter, this year’s MAMI Trophy is going to be a sought after reward not just because of the repute and the prestige of the festival but also as a thing of beauty that the award winners would be proud to receive. After all the inspiration behind the design was that these awards (the MAMI trophy) deserve to be earned not owned.

About Mumbai Film Festival:

The Mumbai Film Festival is organized by Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) – a Trust comprised of Indian film industry stalwarts, was founded in 1997 by late filmmaker ShriHrishikesh Mukherjee. Noted filmmaker ShriShyamBenegal heads the body that consists of film directors including: Veteran film maker Ramesh Sippy, Director Sudhir Mishra, young directors Karan Johar, AnuragKashyap, UmeshKulkarni, KiranRao, VikramadityaMotwane and FarhanAkhtar, publisher Navin Berry and producer-director-lyricist AmitKhanna.

About Varuna D Jani

Varuna D Jani is a renowned name from country’s most respected house of jewellery – Popley.Providing new luxuries, personalisation and customisation in all of her enchanting jewellery, Varuna D Jani has launch her signature label ‘Varuna D Jani’ in 2006 and a flagship store in 2008. Varuna D Jani puts together a beautiful blend of Indian and International sensibilities in her designs. Her expertise and superior craftsmanship are the highlights of these immaculate collections of enduringly stylish masterpieces. Her fine eye for detail, technical abilities and a captivating imagination transforms classic pieces of jewellery into timeless works of art.The finesse and the ability to infuse every creation with uniqueness and spellbinding brilliance makes Varuna D Jani a true maestro. Varuna D Jani’s skill and expertise as a jeweller allows her to conceptualize and innovate exquisite new designs that are captivating.

Varuna D Jani has to her credit three awards in 2008, the “Woman Super achiever” by the Asia Retail Congress 2009, “The Brand Leadership Award” and “The Best Wedding Jewellery of the Year”. She was also the only brand to be nominated in 8 categories in 2010 at the Retail Jewellery Awards. Winner of the ‘Best Wedding Jewellery 2011’ at the Indian Retail Jeweller Awards 2011, ‘International Achievers Award, 2010-2011 in Business Excellence’, awarded in Singapore in June 2011, ‘Indian Achievers Award, 2011 for Emerging Company’, awarded in New Delhi in May 2011. Varuna also recently bagged the Power Brands Leadership Award in Dubai in August 2012 for ‘Rising Jewellery Entrepreneur of the Year 2012’.