Aishwarya Rai Bachchan wins the first Meryl Streep Award for Excellence

After two years of planning, Women in Film and Television India (WIFT India) in collaboration with WIFT International at the 2018 WIFT India Awards. This year’s awards are truly special because and are being given for the first time in history. WIFT will be presenting the ‘Meryl Streep Award for Excellence’ to an artist who has showcased distinction in her craft and has expanded the role of women within the entertainment industry. The recipient of the first Meryl Streep Award for Excellence will be Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for her versatility as an international artiste, persistent charitable undertakings and for expanding the role of women in all facets of film and television.

It’s the first from the WIFT global network of over forty chapters to be named in honour of perhaps the single-greatest actress in the world – Meryl Streep. Streep herself was honoured with the Women in Film Crystal award in 1998.

Wishing Aishwarya Rai Bachchan for the same, Meryl Streep said, “Every success with this event, and her special congratulations to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.”

Excited about his wife receiving the award, Abhishek Bachchan tweeted a picture with a message that read, "And the Mrs. is awarded the Meryl Streep award for excellence at WIFT. The little one gives her a congratulatory hug, and I look on (to the photo) a very proud husband."

And the Mrs. is awarded the Meryl Streep award for excellence at WIFT. The little one gives her a congratulatory hug, and I look on (to the photo) a very proud husband!

And the Mrs. is awarded the Meryl Streep award for excellence at WIFT. The little one gives her a congratulatory hug, and I look on (to the photo) a very proud husband! pic.twitter.com/tmaICHSa1N

— Abhishek Bachchan (@juniorbachchan) September 9, 2018

Talking about the initiative, Petrina D’Rozario, Founding President of WIFT India, said “Whether it is her extraordinary body of work or her charitable endeavours, Ms. Streep is an inspiration for all. In fact, the Meryl Streep Award is so special to WIFT that it has its own dedicated department, headed by WIFT India’s newly appointed Director, British-Canadian, Joe S. Khera. In promoting diversity, this year, we have selected a director with global sensibilities to spearhead various WIFT initiatives. Our aim here is to encourage others to think outside the norm of gender-based hiring practices and give females of all nationalities an equal chance to vie in fields dominated by men.”

Established in Los Angeles in 1973 by Tichi Wilkerson Kassel, Women in Film & Television International (WIFTI) is a global network of over 40 women In film chapters worldwide with over 10,000 members, dedicated to advancing professional development and achievement for women working in all areas of film, video, and other screen-based media.