Showcasing the best of Indian Cinema – Indian Film Festival 2011: Bollywood & Beyond kicks off in fine style!

Hot on the tail of a world record breaking Melbourne run, the Indian Film Festival – Bollywood and Beyond 2011 touched down in Auckland last night to showcase the best of Indian cinema.

The festival kicked off in fine style last night at Hoyts Sylvia Park with the NZ premiere of controversial new drama I Am, which amply demonstrated the new sophistication in contemporary Indian film. The film’s celebrated director Onir, along with star and co-producer Juhi Chawla took part in a robust Q&A session following the screening and the excitement followed them out of the cinema with Chawla, an Indian national treasure, being mobbed by adoring fans and saying, she was amazed and delighted by the reception in New Zealand.

“Bollywood and Beyond is amazing,” said Onir, “because it’s bringing films from all over India to New Zealand and Australia and introducing audiences to the huge variety in Indian cinema. It’s like you have in Hollywood – everything from glamorous escapism to independent art house and all the textures in between. The Q&A for I Am was great because the audience was telling us it was important to see a film that was not just fantasy and that all the stories in the film were universal. That felt great to hear so we are really looking forward to the film’s release here and in India on April 22. Last night set up the right buzz so I hope the festival does great so we can come back!”

This year’s festival boasts over 20 movies, including 9 NZ premieres, and celebrates the sheer breadth of Indian film, from the traditional Bollywood sequined fantasies to gritty new-wave dramas. Movie lovers will find something to suit every taste, whether it’s the record-breaking action blockbuster’s Dabangg and Robot, the taboo-breaking, award-winning same-sex drama Just Another Love Story, the English language comedies It’s A Wonderful Afterlife and West Is West (the long-awaited sequel to East Is East), the high-octane legal thriller No One Killed Jessica, or the Cannes festival favourite Udaan. If last night’s opening is anything to go by, Auckland is in for a treat.

The Indian Film Festival - Bollywood and Beyond 2011 runs until April 3rd at Hoyts Sylvia Park. Tickets can be booked online at www.hoyts.co.nz or by phoning 0508 446 987.