18 April 15-21, 2017 FEATURES TheSouthAsianTimes.info Many must‑watch films at NYIFF An interview with the director of New York Indian Film Festival l By Neeru Saluja family.

tʼs that time of the year again. The old‑ Since the inception of this festival, how est and most prestigious Indian film do you see Indian‑American ties Ifestival in the United States is getting strengthening? ready to screen premieres of multi‑genre When we started this festival 19 years films from the Indian subcontinent. With ago, it had a 100% Indian audience. We an aim to build awareness of Indian cine‑ expanded the festival to the rest of South ma and entertain North Americans about Asia. Our audience is now New York City the reality of the Indian subcontinent, the in all its diversity! festival has come a long way. What can the audience expect The driving spirit behind this that will be different festival is the director of the from last year's Indo‑American Arts Council NYIFF? (IAAC) and the New York 4Shoot A Indian Film Festival Short Film (NYIFF), Aroon workshop by Shivdasani. She started National this festival in 2001 to Award showcase Indian Winning Independent and Filmmaker “Lipstick Under My Burkha” is the Deepa Mehtaʼs ʻMostly Sunnyʼ, about Diaspora films in the Umesh Opening Film of NYIFF that will run from the porn start turned Bolllywood star, is US. Kulkarni April 30 to May 7 one of NYIFFʼs notable films. Excerpts from exclusive 4Sibling Priyanka Chopra productions – Ventilator forms. What shall we expect in 2017? interview with the NYIFF Filmmakers side‑ & Sarvann Besides NYIFF, Erasing Borders Festival director: bar featuring Deepa What are the highlights of the festivals of Indian Dance (August 13‑15), and the Mehtaʼs latest and the 'must watch' films? IAAC Literary Festival (October 6‑8) are Congratulations for a bril‑ Aroon Shivdasani, film Anatomy Our Opening film “Lipstick Under My our highlights in 2017. liant line up for this yearʼs founder and director of NYIFF Of Violence Burkha”, Centerpiece “Insignificant Man” Being one of the most influential global NYIFF. What is the mes‑ and Dilip and the Closing Film “You are My women, do you have a special message sage and theme for this year's festival? Mehtaʼs latest film Mostly Sunny followed Sunday” are clearly highlights. We have for upcoming Indian women artists? The 17th New York Indian Film Festival by an in‑depth interview with both Deepa an amazing line‑up with several super Believe in yourself. Be passionate about – that will run from April 30 to May 7 ‑‑ and Dilip films including “Poorna”, “Trapped", your art, determination wins in the end. will focus on connections. The bond 4Tribute to the late Om Puri: Konkana “Turtle” … as well as several shorts! between a father and son, the strong SenSharmaʼs Death in the Gunj IAAC has brought us an array of events For more details about the festival, go to friendship between women, friends and 4Priyanka Produces: screening two displaying art and culture in various http://www.iaac.us/nyiff2017/index.htm An award for glam-sham

The event was presented by Vandana Krishna, A fashion show by superstar of fashion designing, Manish Malhotra, was the star of the evening. with local promoter Tanvi Prenita Chandra (right).

t was an event to honor 15 Indian Academy Women Achievers ion industry, Manish Malhotra for Renascent Enterprise. The event with Indian‑American women achievers Awards gala held on March 26 at The Mijwan Welfare Society (an NGO run by 300 plus guests was a precursor to I from all walks of life, for their con‑ Marigold in Somerset, NJ was also a Shabana Azmi). upcoming Indian Academy Awards to be tributions in medicine, performing arts, rare glamorous event. The event was conceptualized by held in California in July expected to education, finance and social service. There was a fund raiser with Chief Vandana Krishna, director of Brainstorm attract 50,000 in audience, and which They were selected through a process Guest Shabana Azmi, legendary actress, Entertainment, in association with co‑ was announced in Mumbai last audited by Ernst and Young. But the and a fashion show by superstar of fash‑ promoter Tanvi Prenita Chandra of December by Shah Rukh Khan.