Department of Public Relations, Chandigarh Administration
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Department of Public Relations, Chandigarh Administration www.chdpr.gov.in Press Release Chandigarh February 1:-Second Chandigarh Film Festival opened here today in the graceful presence of renowned film Directors like, Mr. Shyam Benegal, Dr. M.S. Sathyu, Film personality, Ms. Nafisa Ali. Adviser to UT Administrator, Mr. Pradip Mehra formally opened the festival. As part of the film festival, Noted film actress, Mrs. Hema Malini is also in the city beautiful to perform today evening as “Durga”, the Ballet at local Leisure Valley. Junoon, a 1978 Hindi film directed by Shyam Benegal was the inaugural film screened at Bhargava Auditorium, PGI. The film has Shashi Kapoor, Nafisa Ali (who along with Shyam Benegal was also present at the screening), Tom Alter, Shabana Azmi as stars. Junoon is considered magnificent movie for its universally flawless performances. Earlier, while addressing the audience, UT Adviser, Mr. Mehra said that Chandigarh Administration has taken many innovative and novel measures like Wedding Tourism, medical tourism, golf tourism etc to promote Chandigarh as the hub of north India, the Administration. He announced to promote Cinematic Tourism, Sports Tourism and Medical Tourism in a big way. UT Adviser said that the Chandigarh Administration is consistently promoting Chandigarh and the Northern region as a destination for cinematic tourism for representatives of the film industry. “Chandigarh has been a preferred destination for Bollywood in the recent past and a large number of films have been shot in and around Chandigarh”, he added. Mr. Mehra underlined various initiatives of the Administration like facilitating film makers as per the advice of Chandigarh Film Advisory Committee which has been set up under the Chairmanship of eminent Film Producer and Director, Mr. Yash Chopra. Mr. Mehra reiterated that the second film festival has been planned in a way that it has something of interest for every individual. While addressing the festival, creative filmmaker and winner of Dada Saheb Phalke Award, 2005. Mr. Shyam Benegal said Chandigarh is a “great place to come to”. He appreciated the Chandigarh Administration move to hold an international film festival in Chandigarh. He said “It was important that all capitals cities of the country should have international film festivals and the momentum has already begun with the likes of Delhi, Trivandrum, Bangalore, Chennai and Chandigarh”. “Film festivals have their special significance as they open a window for the cinema and the whole world”, Mr. Benegal added. He also referred to the rich cultural heritage of the area and its contribution to the Hindi film industry. Renowned film director, Dr. M.S. Sathyu also addressed the gathering. Film Directors, Mr. Shyam Benegal, Dr. M.S. Sathyu Children Film Society of India Chairperson and renowned film actress, Ms. Nafisa Ali, Ms. Rani Balbir Kaur, Ms. Neelam Mann Singh were honoured on the occasion. UT Home Secretary, Mr. Krishna Mohan, UT Finance Secretary, Mr. Sanjay Kumar, senior officers of Chandigarh Administration, large number of Art & Culture lovers were also present on this occasion. Interactive Sessions on careers in Entertainment, production design, rendezvous with renowned Directors, Quiz competitions, book releases followed by a grand finale and much more to go simultaneously with the screening of different National and International movies will be organized during the Festival from February 1 to 4. Short Films, Feature Films and Documentaries will also be screened during the festival. Films to be screened during the festival have been selected keeping a note of the choices of all the age groups. Keeping in mind the international flavour of the Chandigarians, International Films to be screened during the Chandigarh Film Festival has been decided. Six international Films that are going to be screened in the festival are from France, Croatia, Hungary and Iran. The Festival aims at projecting the excellence of the film art by providing a common platform to these national and international films. It also aims at promotion the understanding and appreciation of film cultures of different nations through the medium of international films and promoting friendship and co-operation among different nations. .