London June 30 (IANS) Indian actor Irrfan Khan known for films like "The Namesake" "Life of Pi" and "Slumdog Millionaire was announced as the winner of a special Icon Award at Bagri London Indian Film Festival (LIFF).
Comedy "Eaten by Lions" triumphed at the BFI-backed event. The winners were announced at the closing ceremony on Friday night reports variety.com.
Irrfan is undergoing treatment in London for a neuroendocrine tumour. He accepted his award privately LIFF said.
Actor Manoj Bajpayee was also given an Icon Award.
The actor who will soon be seen in Amazon s Indian original "Family Man" starred in two films that screened at LIFF -- "Love Sonia" and "In the Shadows".
"Getting this award at this prestigious film festival it definitely is a matter of privilege for me also in London the city I love the most " he said.
Other winners at LIFF included Bollywood actress Richa Chadha who took the Outstanding Achievement Award. She stars in "Love Sonia" which was the festival s opening night movie.
"When you say Indian films people assume it s just Bollywood and that s untrue " she said.
"We have independent films… Festivals like LIFF help us in making the right noise back home so these films stand a chance against the mainstream expensive (movies)."
Mrunal Thakur another star of "Love Sonia"-- which is a US-Indian production from "Life of Pi" producer David Womark won the Best Newcomer Award.
According to variety.com Jason Wingard s "Eaten by Lions" scooped the Audience Award for Best Film. It follows half-brothers Omar (Antonio Aakeel) and Pete (Jack Carroll) as they travel to the British seaside resort of Blackpool looking for Omar s biological father.

--IANS sug/vm