IFFLA Celebrates the Richness of Indian Film by PARIMAL M

Section C • April 22, 2011

C7 Meet Miss India World C22 A Chat with 60s Icon Sadhana C10 Tarangini Dancers in Kathak Show IFFLA Celebrates the Richness of Indian Film By PARIMAL M. ROHIT for Indian cinema in the U.S. Our Special to India-West audiences were captivated by the diversity of our offerings,” OLLYWOOD, Calif. — Marouda said. For the ninth consecu- “We are thrilled at the enormous tive year, the Indian response to this year’s program. HFilm Festival of Los We look forward to celebrating Angeles took over the ArcLight our momentous tenth year in 2012 Cinemas here in Hollywood for in Los Angeles and have already six days April 12-17 to highlight begun preparations.” the best and brightest in Indian Opening the festival April 12 cinema, be it filmmakers, actors, was the Smile Foundation’s “I Am writers, or executives. Kalam,” setting the tone for six- In all, about 7,000 moviegoers day event with its wholehearted attended the six-day event to story of poor Rajasthani boy who watch 32 feature, documentary, has a strong desire to learn how and short films and interact with to read. Disney’s child superhero dozens of filmmakers and actors. production of “Zokommon” made Among the popular talent who its world premiere on April 17 and attended the festival included brought the festival to a close. Bollywood stars Gulshan Grover, “In the last 10 years, cinema has Anupam Kher and Pooja Batra; changed completely, globally, and filmmaker Vikramaditya Mot- in India, especially,” Kher told In- wane; and rising Indian Ameri- dia-West. “For the last nine years, can stars Manish Dayal, Melanie we are having IFFLA over here. Kannokada, Ravi V. Patel, Vik IFFLA executive director Christina Marouda and board member Arnold Peter congratulate the award-winning filmmakers It’s a great feeling to be part of a Sahay, Pooja Kumar, Sunil Mal- at the close of the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles April 17. (photo courtesy Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles) movement which is taking cinema hotra, Sunkrish Bala, and Janina and the country further.” Gavankar. unique and qualitative content Marouda’s guidance from a niche also honors top entertainment Also highlighting the Indian With the theme of “Celebrate, while also “connecting” moviego- event to a significant destination industry business executives and Film Festival of Los Angeles was Captivate, Connect,” the cinemat- ers and filmmakers alike to each in the heart of Hollywood devoted promotes what the founders call the Industry Leadership Awards ic showcase was a key event in not other and to industry executives to a greater appreciation of Indian “the diverse perspectives of the at the House of Blues in West only recognizing and “celebrating” in Hollywood. cinema and culture. Indian diaspora.” Hollywood, Calif., a series of film- the works of Indian-themed or Established in 2002, the festi- The cinematic event not only “This year’s festival broke pre- maker-themed event at Chakra produced film, but also engaging val has grown under president showcases the broadest spec- vious year’s attendance proving Indian Cuisine in Beverly Hills, and “captivating” audiences with and executive director Christina trum of quality Indian film, it there is a major audience fan base [Cont. on page C4] Director Rohan Sippy on Hard-Hitting ‘Dum Maaro Dum’ great filmmaker and I can hope By R.M.VIJAYAKAR Special to India-West that I can be at least one percent as good! UMBAI — Fox Star Q: Why did you take six Entertainment’s and years to make a movie after R.S. Enterprises’ film “Bluffmaster!”? “Dum Maaro Dum” A: Time just passed because M I became busy producing sev- is all set to release worldwide April 22. The third collaboration eral films like “Taxi No. 9-2-1-1,” of director Rohan Sippy (“Kuch “Chandni Chowk to China,” “The Naa Kaho”/2003 and “Bluffmas- President Is Coming” and also ter!”/2005) with childhood friend “Fear,” which co-producers UTV Abhishek Bachchan, the film has decided would have only a digital given out a positive vibe as a fast- release. Contrary to media percep- paced, zany yet intense action tion, “Fear” has not been junked film. And Rohan hopes to get it as an unreleased film forever. In right again. fact, this Vikram Bhatt horror film Excerpts from an interview has shaped up well. with India-West: Q: Will be it always Abhishek Q: Your father Ramesh Sippy, Bachchan in your directorial who has produced “Dum Maaro ventures, since you have never Dum,” has been the creator of directed a film without him? “Sholay” and the Bond-like A: Abhishek and I have been action drama “Shaan.” Where friends since childhood, but to do you see those two films in be in my film he has to be apt for terms of influences? the subject! Yes, a friend on the A: Oh, my father is an all-time Rohan Sippy (c) with Abhishek Bachchan on the sets of “Dum Maaro Dum.” [Cont. on page C6] C – April 22, 2011 – INDIA-WEST Stars Make a Connection at Indian Film Festival of L.A. [Cont. from page C1] to the Indian cinema is a matter special praise for Grover’s contri- Calif., and a trio of seminars at of excitement,” Grover said on butions to the film “I Am Kalam.” the ArcLight. opening night. “He has been a champion of this Among those honored at the Marouda, president and execu- film which is helping it get the Industry Leadership Awards on tive director of the festival, had publicity needed,” she noted. April 14 were Andy Kaplan, president of Sony Pictures Television Networks, Man Jit Singh, CEO Singer Chithra’s Daughter of Multi Screen Media Private Drowns Limited, and Ajay Bijli, chairman and managing director of PVR THIRUVANANTHAPURAM dead. Cinemas. (PTI) — Eminent playback sing- Chithra, who has sung for “IFFLA’s industry-related events er K.S. Chithra’s eight-year-old films like “Roja” and “Bombay,” continued to connect Hollywood daughter has drowned in a swim- is in Dubai to participate in A.R. and Indian executives and educate ming pool in a villa in Dubai, said Rahman’s show to be held in filmmakers through our Seminar family sources. Sharjah. Day,” Arnold Peter, the festival’s The body of the child, Nandana, Nandana was born to Chithra chairman of the board, stated. was found in the pool of the villa and Vijay Sankar, an engineer- Each of the three executives — in Emirates Hills April 14, where turned-businessman, several Kaplan, Singh and Bijli — spoke of the singer was staying, said the years into their marriage. The sources. the growth opportunities in India, child was studying in a school in The child was rushed to a with large portions of the country, Chennai. but in urban and rural areas, still hospital where she was declared not yet fully penetrated by television or cinema. Taking the Grand Jury prizes Sac’to Residents Celebrate were Best Narrative Feature winner “Udaan,” Motwane’s com- Poetry of Faiz Ahmed Faiz ing-of-age tale which nabbed the The renowned poet “has an ap- Grand Jury prize for Best Nar- Anupam Kher, one of the stars of Disney’s “Zokkomon,” made an appearance at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles. (photos courtesy Indian Film Festival By a Staff Reporter peal between and beyond classes rative Feature; while the Grand of Los Angeles) and societal stratifications,” said SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Jury prize for Best Documentary audience member Ras Siddiqui. work of Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Feature went to Sonali Gulati’s Honorable mentions were given while “Big in Bollywood” (a docu- “Within his verses, the humanist in Faiz brought poetry-loving Indian “I Am.” to Srinivas Krishna’s “Ganesh Boy mentary about “3 Idiots” star Omi Faiz overshadowed politics.” and Pakistani residents of Sacra- Rakesh Chaudhary’s gripping Wonder” (Documentary) and Sh- Vaidya) claimed a similar honor in Leaders of the Pak-American mento together for a celebration tale about an unusual event in lok Sharma (Shorts). the feature documentary section. Culture and Arts Council, who of his life’s work. Over 100 poetry an unusual place bringing a man Meanwhile, Nila Madhab Pan- Sharma’s “Tubelight’s Moon” won organized the mushaira, encour- enthusiasts and ghazal singers closer to his grandon in “The da’s “I Am Kalam,” which starred Audience Choice in the shorts aged community feedback and gathered at Shaz restaurant Apr. Eclipse of Taregna” claimed Best Grover, won the Audience Choice section. participation to create more arts- 2 for a recital, or “mushaira.” Short honors by the jury. Award for Best Narrative Feature “A festival specially dedicated centered events.