The Hindu Business Line : Pune film fest

IT might be a fledgling as far as film festivals go but the third International Film Festival, which closed here on Thursday, is carving its own niche on the circuit by hosting the world premiers of at least three much-awaited Bollywood films.

Bollywood's showman par excellence Subhash Ghai hosted the world premier of his latest project, Kisna, starring Vivek Oberoi, at a multiplex here, raising over Rs 25 lakh in aid of the tsunami victims. The premier took place in the presence of a bevy of Hindi film industry stars.

Delegates at this year's festival also got to see Black Friday, Anurag Kashyap's chilling tale of the bomb blasts that ripped Mumbai's innards and led to two bouts of communal rioting. Kashyap's narrative takes a close look at the conspiracy behind the blasts, rioting, police investigations, arrests and its connection with the underworld. Dubai-based underworld kingpin Dawood Ibrahim finds himself in this movie, a role played by actor Vijay Maurya.

Yet another movie, Amu, drew rave responses as its maker featured the uncensored version, depicting the riots and communal killings in New Delhi in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi's assassination. The film brings out the alleged involvement of politicians, bureaucrats, police and criminals in the selective killing of Sikhs after the assassination.

Movie-goers also enjoyed an up-close look at the seamier side of society's movers and shakers in Page 3, which premiered at the event.

The event, brainchild of MP Suresh Kalmadi, filmmaker Jabbar Patel and Sabina Sanghvi, among others, also managed to get in some of world's best cinemas, with South African Oscar entry Yesterday walking away with the State Government's Prabhat Best Film award. Yesterday is a tale of life against the backdrop of AIDS. The film's producer gave away the cash award to Indian and South African organisations working in the AIDS space.

India's own Oscar nomination Shwaas got a special citation at the event, with child-actor Ashwin Chitale and Arun Nalawade getting a certificate of excellence for acting.

The special jury award for best film went to Afghan movie Earth and Ashes, while Peruvian director Josue Mendez got the State Government's Best Director award. The jury award for best cinematography went to Chinese cinematographer Wang Wei for Endless Wait.

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