2nd Annual Indian Film Festival - Bollywood & Beyond

30 Films, 15 Premieres, All the Very Best Bollywood Blockbusters and Regional Films all under one roof, in one festival – The Indian Film Festival 2011.  Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Auckland brace yourselves for truckloads of film and fun!

Auckland : 24 March to 03 April : Hoyts Sylvia Park

Bookings and information: www.indianfilmfestival.com.au or Hoyts Box Office  

Following the phenomenal success of the inaugural festival in 2010, the Indian Film Festival: Bollywood & Beyond (IFF) returns in 2011 to celebrate and showcase the best of Indian cinema. This year’s festival features over 30 films including 15 New Zealand and Australian premieres in a program which celebrates the traditional Bollywood sequins and fantasy, and also demonstrates the depth of contemporary Indian film.  

The Indian Film Festival is delighted to invite two very special guests to New Zealand-  Former Miss India, actor/producer Juhi Chawla and exploratory director Onirban Dhar (My Brother…Nikhil) will both be presenting their controversial new film, I AM and will discuss their careers within the world’s biggest film industry. 

IFF Director Mitu Bhowmick Lange says, ‘This year we are proud to present a broad range of films from traditional Bollywood,  which show India at its most colourful and wonderful, to those that tackle serious subjects and eloquently express a new sophistication in contemporary Indian cinema – a hugely exciting seismic, cultural shift that must be shared. We are also thrilled to play host to so many of Bollywood’s finest filmmakers and acting talent as they discuss their films and share their passion for cinema with you.’ 

Opening night audiences will be treated to a Gala of a night complete with Indian culinary delights, a special dance performance, a QnA session with Juhi Chawla and Onirban Dhar and of course the New Zealand premiere of I AM.  An innovative exploration of some of the issues facing modern Indian society, I AM consists of four short films based on real-life stories and connected by the central theme of fear.  The film was financed by donations from more than 400 people from around the world through social media sites such as Facebook, allowing the creators the freedom to tackle normally taboo subjects.

Other highlights of the festival include box office hits of the past year included NO ON KILLED JESSICA, a political thriller based on the true story of a murder by the son of a prominent politician and subsequent crusade for justice by the victim’s sister.  The brilliantly Bollywood DABANGGstarring Bollywood heavyweights Salman Khan, Malaika Arora Khan and Arbaaz Khan which was also the highest grossing film in Indian in 2010 and BAND BAJA BAARAAT which gives a whole new meaning to the ‘Big Fat Indian Wedding’.  Beyond Bollywood, there’s the comedy WEST IS WEST, the much anticipated sequel to the loved indie smash hit East is East, tongue-in-cheek comedy TERE BIN LADEN and JUST ANOTHER LOVE STORY which narrates the life of a fading gay actor in India’s theatre world. 

The IFF is keen to foster greater understanding and collaboration between the Australian, New Zealand and Indian film industries. Launched in 2010 the IFF Western Union Short Film Competition is aimed at discovering the future Peter Jacksons, George Millers and RajKumar Hiranis of the film world. Entries for the 2011 competition have been created around the theme of ‘Dreams’. Judges are director Kabir Khan; actor, writer and producer, Mick Molloy; writer/director, RajKumar Hirani; independent producer Robyn Kershaw and director Shimit Amin who will select three winners – one international, one from Australia, and one from New Zealand.  Winners will each receive return air fares to either Mumbai or Melbourne and be given opportunities to meet with key figures in the respective country’s film industry. Each of the winning films will be screened at the 2011 Indian Film Festival and on SBS in Australia, Triangle and Stratos in New Zealand, and World Movies in India. The winners will be announced on the opening day of the festival. 

Indian Film Festival: Bollywood and Beyond will tour Sydney (9-19 March), Melbourne (11-20 March), Adelaide (22-29 March) and Auckland (24 March to 3 April).  

The Indian Film Festival is a Mind Blowing Films initiative sponsored by Western Union, Lebara, Singapore Airlines, La Trobe, City of Melbourne, SBS, UTV World Movies, Indian Link, Deluxe, Indian Weekender and Triangle and Stratos.

FILM SYNOPSIS 

I AM

Starring: Manisha Koirala, Juhi Chawla, Rahul Bose, Nandita Das 
Director: Onirban Dhar 
Producer: Juhi Chawla 

Rating: TBA

Screening Date(s): 24th March - *Opening Night* 

Proving that Indian cinema isn’t all sequins and fantasy, director Onirban Dhar and star Juhi Chawla bring the festival to a close with this innovative four-part exploration of some of the thornier issues facing modern Indian society. Funded by over 400 people around the world through social media sites like Facebook, the creators were free to tackle subjects such as homosexuality, prostitution and child abuse leading, perhaps unsurprisingly, to some salacious headlines. Come along for a thought-provoking but highly entertaining evening in the company of two of Bollywood’s more fascinating talents. 

GUZAARISH (A Reqeust)

Starring: Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan 
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali  
Producer: Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Ronnie Screwvala 

Rating: M (Mature Themes)

Screening Date(s): 25th March, 31st March 

They called him Merlin and anointed him as the greatest magician. But Ethan Mascarenhas (Hrithik Roshan) has very little magic left in his life after a near fatal accident leaves him paralyzed and confined to bed for life. Can the life-loving Ethan live out the rest of his life as a quadriplegic or has he a right to end the pain and opt for euthanasia? While his best friend and lawyer Devyani (Shernaz Patel) is ready to fight his case, his devoted nurse Sophie (Aishwarya Rai) can’t foresee a life without her beloved patient. Will she be able to let go? ‘Guzaarish’ is a superbly produced, multi award winning drama. 
 
 

MY NAME IS KHAN

Starring: Shahrukh Khan, Kajol 
Director: Karan Johar  
Producer: Hiroo Yash Johar, Gauri Khan 

Rating: M

Screening Date(s): 25th March 

Rizvan Khan (Shahrukh Khan) is a Muslim man with Asperger’s Syndrome who moves from India to San Francisco to live with his brother. Rizvan falls in love with the beautiful, feisty Mandira. Despite protests from his family they get married, start a small business and build a life together. Then on September 11, 2001 the world changes and attitudes towards Muslims undergo a radical shift. When a personal tragedy strikes Mandira is devastated and their marriage falls apart. Rizvan confused and upset that the love of his life has left him sets out on a journey to right a wrong. ‘My Name is Khan’ is the triumphant story of an unconventional hero overcoming obstacles to regain the love of his life. 

BAND BAAJA BAARAAT

Starring: Anushka Sharma, Ranveer Singh

Director: Maneesh Sharma

Producer: Aditya Chopra 

Rating: Festival Rating

Screening Date(s): 26th March 

Shruti (Anushka Sharma) is a 20-something no-nonsense girl from a middle class Delhi household.  Focused and determined with preplanned ambitions, her goals in life are well laid out by the time she reaches her final year of college.  Bittoo (Ranveer singh), on the other hand, has no real aim in life.  As a final year college student of Delhi University, he whiles away his life having fun with his buddies, barely scraping through his exams.  Fate brings the two of them together on a tumultuous journey where they become partners in their very own Wedding Planning business.  The rules however, are clear, never mix business with pleasure.  Together, their friendship and business, enters the ups and downs of the lavish Delhi wedding circuit.  And while trying to find themselves, Shruti and Bittoo discover each other and realize that in the course of their journey, rules are meant to be broken! 

NO ONE KILLED JESSICA

Starring: Rani Mukerji, Vidya Balan 
Director: RajKumar Gupta  
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala 

Rating: M (contains violence)

Screening Date(s): 26th March, 1st April 

‘No One Killed Jessica’ is a film inspired by the tragic true-story of Jessica Lall, a model who was shot to death in a New Delhi restaurant in 1999 by the son of an influential politician.  The story follows the subsequent court case which saw justice swept aside by money and political influence and the accused walk free.  The long legal battle that followed gripped an entire nation and touched the lives of many.  Two of Bollywood’s biggest female stars come together – Vidya Balan as Jessica’s sister Sabrina and Rani Mukerji as Meera, an intrepid TV reporter.  Together they fight for justice against overwhelming financial and political power, leaving no stone unturned and not a dry eye in the house. 

PEEPLI LIVE

Starring: Omkardas Manikpuri, Raghubir Yadav 
Director: Anusha Rizvi  
Producer: Aamir Khan Productions 

Rating: M (Coarse Language)

Screening Date(s): 27th March 

Natha a poor farmer from Peepli village is about to lose his plot of land due to an unpaid government loan. A quick fix to the problem is the very same government’s program that aids the families of indebted farmers who have committed suicide. As a means of survival farmer Natha can choose to die!!! Political bigwigs, high ranking bureaucrats, local henchmen and the ever zealous media descend upon sleepy Peepli to stake their claim on his story. The question on everyone’s lips is  “Will he or Won’t he?” As the mania escalates what will be the fate of Farmer Natha; nobody seems to care how he really feels? 

SAAT KHOON MAAF (Seven Murders Forgiven)

Starring: Priyanka Chopra, John Abraham, Neil Nitin Mukesh 
Director: Vishal Bhardwaj,  
Producer: Vishal Bhardwaj, Ronnie Screwvala 

Rating: TBA

Screening Date(s): 27th March 

‘7 Khoon Maaf’ is a black comedy based on ‘The Merry Widow’ by legendary writer Ruskin Bond. Susanna Anna-Marie Johannes is a beautiful woman who gets married seven times due to the untimely and mysterious deaths of her hapless husbands. The strange circumstances of their deaths make Susanna a prime suspect for murder. Did the husbands deserve to die? Were the murders out of necessity or pure bloodlust? Does Susanna ever find her one true love? Susanna’s romantic misadventures will keep you merrily entertained! 

RAAJNEETI

Starring: Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Nana Pateker, Ajay Devgan 
Director: Prakash Jha 
Producer: Prakash Jha, Ronnie Screwvala 

Rating: MA 15 + (Strong Violence)

Screening Date(s): 28th March 

‘Raajneeti’ is a story about Indian politics, about Indian democracy, about Indian elections. Above all, it is the story of a few people who control the destiny of millions. It is the story of their unstoppable ambition and their bitter and violent battle to achieve it. This is the story of people who understand power and know how to wield it at will. This political blockbuster is one of the great films of 2010. 
 

TERE BIN LADEN (Not Without Bin Laden)

Starring: Ali Zafar, Barry John 
Director: Abhishek Sharma  
Producer: Pooja Shetty Deora, Aarti Shetty 

Rating: PG( Mild coarse language)

Screening Date: 29th March 

When a TV reporter from Karachi is thrown off a plane for making bomb jokes he is left with only one way to raise the funds for his US visa - creating fake Osama Bin Laden tapes to sell back to his unsuspecting boss, after a chance encounter with a dimwitted Osama lookalike.  Of course! A wild comedic chase ensues as American and Pakistani authorities fail to see the joke. Neither did Middle Eastern censors who banned this hit from their cinemas. Come see what all the fuss was about in this take no prisoners, comedy adventure. 

MIRCH (Spice)

*Australia New Zealand Premiere*

Starring: Konkona Sen Sharma, Raima Sen, Shreyas Talpade 
Director: Vinay Shukla  
Producer: Mehjabeen Rajja 

Rating: Festival rating

Screening Date(s): 29th March 

‘Mirch’ shatters Bollywood taboos. A struggling scriptwriter (Arunoday Singh) is desperately seeking out a producer who will transform his script into a film.  Quite a difficult task since his script is four stories about erotic women who seek out their sexual fantasies, women who challenge convention and traditional morality. A bold film that explores women’s sexuality and goes into territory where few Hindi films have gone before. 

DABANGG 

Starring: Salman Khan, Arbaaz Khan, Malaika Arora Khan 
Director: Abhinav Kashyap  
Producer: Arbaaz Khan, Maliaka Arora Khan, Dhilin Mehta  

Rating: MA 15 + (Strong Violence)

Screening Date(s): 30th March 

The iconic Salman Khan stars as a totally fearless yet horribly corrupt police officer who learns that fighting criminals is a lot easier than battling personal demons in this wonderfully entertaining action blockbuster produced by his real-life and on-screen brother, Arbaaz Khan. “Dabangg” smashed box-office records upon its release and even the main song – performed in the movie by Malaika Arorar Khan – became India’s biggest hit of the year. As Times of India described the movie: “The on-screen definition of Bollywood… crazy, zany, larger-than-life… with songs and dances that pop out of nowhere and literally oozing star charisma.” In other words: a must-see on the big screen with a full house. 

UDAAN

*Australia New Zealand Premiere*

Starring: Anand Tiwari, Ronit Roy, Ram Kapoor 
Director: Vikramaditya Motwane  
Producer: Anurag Kashyap/ Ronnie Screwvala 

Rating: Festival Rating

Screening Date(s): 30th March, 3rd April 

Rohan (Rajat Barmecha) is a high school student who aspires to be a writer.  When he and his friends jump the hostel wall and sneak into a cinema to watch a sex film the boys are caught and expelled. Rohan’s father Bhairav (Ronit Roy) is a cold man, uninterested in taking responsibility for his son after the death of his wife.  Things take a serious turn when Rohan’s half brother, Arjun, is hospitalized after a fall down the stairs. Rohan sees belt marks on the child’s back and knows that history is repeating itself. Rohan starts to become protective of his half-brother and seeks a way out of abuse. 

JUST ANOTHER LOVE STORY (English)

*Australia New Zealand Premiere*

Starring: Chapal Bhaduri, Rituparno Ghosh, Indraneil Sengupta 
Director: Kaushik Ganguly  
Producer: Tapan Biswas 

Rating: Festival Rating

Screening Date(s): 31st March 

Chapal Bhaduri was once famous for the feminine lead roles he played. At over 70 years of age Chapel is still a woman trapped in a man’s body. He lives a forsaken life surviving on the memories of his past. That is until he meets Abhiroop Sen, a flamboyant gay filmmaker, who lures him with big money to reveal his tragic story for a documentary. Media wrath, homophobia, emotional conflicts and physical attractions tumble into the lives of the characters.  

IT’S A WONDERFUL AFTERLIFE (English)

*Australia New Zealand Premiere*

Starring: Shabana Azmi, Sally Hawkins, Sendhil Ramamurthy 
Direcotor: Gurinder Chadha  
Producer: Sharan Kapoor 

Rating: Festival Rating

Screening Date(s): 1st April 

“Finding the perfect son-in-law can be murder” - ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’ and ‘Shaun of the Dead’ meet in this charming comedy romp about an Indian-Punjabi mother taking her obsession with marriage into frighteningly funny territory. It’s a big bloody wedding and a comic feast which takes the phrase ‘I could murder a curry’ to hysterical new heights.  From the director of ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ comes a dark comedy about an Indian mother and her over weight daughter! 
 

MEE SINDHATU SAPKAL (Marathi)

*Australia New Zealand Premiere*

Starring: Tejaswini Pandit, Upendra Limaye, Neena Kulkarni, Jyoti Chandekar 
Director: Ananth Narayan Mahadevan  
Producer: Siddhivinayak Cinevision 

Rating: Festival Rating

Screening Date(s): 2nd April 

The film is a biographical account of Sindhutai Sapkal, a woman who became a social activist after a traumatic life. Born in a poor family Sindhutai was first married off at the age of 12 to a man who was 20 years older. Soon abandoned and while travelling through the backwaters of Maharashtra, this braveheart never gave up hope and courage and ended up in San Jose on a fund-raising mission for her orphanage which still provides shelter to homeless kids. 

This film works so well because it is an inspiring story of an ordinary woman who reaches extraordinary heights through sheer grit. Sindhutai’s story is almost an allegorical tale that mirrors the fate of millions of women throughout the world.  

ROBOT

Starring: Rajinikanth, Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan, Danny Denzongpa

Director: S.Shankar

Producer:  Kalanithi Maran, W. Hansraj Saxena 

Rating: Festival Rating

Screening Date(s): 2nd April 

Robot sees South Indian Megastar Rajinikanth in dual roles, as a professor and an android robot.  Arguably one of the world’s most beautiful women, Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan and Danny Denzongpa play other lead roles.  The film’s story revolves around a scientist’s struggle to control his creation, an android robot whose programme was upgraded to give it the ability to comprehend and generate human emotions.  The plan backfires as the robot falls in love with the scientist’s fiancée and is further manipulated to bring destruction to the world when it lands in the hands of a rival scientist.  How the robot is stopped from further destruction forms what is a worldwide hit. 

WEST IS WEST (English) 

Starring: Om Puri, Aqib Khan 
Director: Andy de Emmony  
Producer: Leslee Udwin 

Rating: Festival Rating

Screening Date(s): 3rd April 

Manchester, North of England, 1975. Sajid, the youngest of the Khan clan, and the runt of the litter, is deep in pubescent crisis under heavy assault from both his father’s tyrannical insistence on Pakistani tradition and from his schoolyard tormentors. So, in a desperate attempt to ‘sort him out’, his father decides to pack him off to the Punjab, to the wife and daughters he had abandoned 35 years earlier. It is not long before Ella Khan (his second British wife), heads a rescue team from Manchester to the Punjab in order to sort out the mess, past and present.