‘Ek meri maa thi, ek cine-ma hai’: Rishi Kapoor at BRICS film festival

Born of Web

September 6, 2016
4 min read
BRICS Film Festival

Film and cultural icons from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa got together at BRICS Film Festival

Inaugration at the opening day. — **Lamp lighting at the opening day**

The first ever BRICS Film Festival has created buzz in the Capital. The festival in its full swing has been inclusive of critically acclaimed films from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. A cultural pool created to promote harmony amongst the BRICS members, the five-day bonanza has also offered a platform for enriching panel discussions to take place. So, encompassing film screenings, competitions, and film ‘panchayats’, the festival organised by the I&B Ministry has been a standpoint in bringing people together through art, culture and cinema.

Kunal Kapoor starrer Veeram went on to be the opening film of the festival. In a rendezvous with the very handsome Kunal, we got to know some amazing facts about Veeram. It is a tri-lingual film shot in English, Hindi and Malayalam simultaneously. Having been directed by Jayaraj, holder of multiple national awards, the film’s concept is an amalgamation of Macbeth’s anti-hero image and Malayalam history of kalariyapattu (a martial art form). Hats off to this unique concept that would allow us watch a Shakespearean background merge with a traditional folkloric Kerala on the foreground. As magnificent as the concept sounds, Kunal who’s playing the lead character of Chandu looks equally magnificent in the poster. “I gained 12 kilos and followed a strict fitness regime to get in shape for the character of Chandu,” said Kunal.

While Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore inaugurated the festival, veteran actor Rishi Kapoor was honoured for his family’s contribution of over 88 years to Indian cinema. “Ek meri maa thi, ek cine-ma hai! Cinema gives us an opportunity to see another land, culture and people… It is the ambassador who builds bridges, cuts across various borders and most importantly entertains,” the senior actor expressed.

Cast and crew of the Russian films while addressing the press gathering described the idea behind the movies, along with their experience while shooting the films. They also talked about the Indian audience and their acceptance of Russian films in the BRICS Film festival. The Russian delegates showed their interest to associate with Indian Cinema. Elena Yakovleva, Actress, Very Best Day said that her movie is a happy movie; the idea of her director for making this movie was that the people who are coming to see the movie should leave laughing and singing. Likewise, delegates from other member countries too discussed about their respective films and the processes involved.

The main focus of the BRICS Film Festival has been to celebrate the excellence of cinema by rewarding film makers, actors, producers and directors, and to engage the youth of member nations for better and effective economic integration. The festival hosted a platform for people of the film industry of member countries to provide them an opportunity to explore areas of cooperation which can be leveraged through this economic grouping. Cultural troupes of member nations also performed depicting their respective cultures.

On the last day of the festival, the winners chosen by the prestigious jury were declared. Best Director award went to Huo Jianqi for the Chinese film Xuan Zang while Thithi (by Pratap Reddy) from India came out to be the best film. Thabo Rametsi won the Best Actor (Male) honour for the South-African movie Kalushi and Best Actor in female category was bagged by Russian Actress Yulia Peresild for The Battle for Sevastapol.

The festival came to a close with the screening of Jackie Chan starrer Skiptrace. Another highlight at the closing ceremony was the stunning performance by Shiamak Dawar’s dance troupe. They danced to the evergreen Bollywood numbers as an ode to Indian Cinema. Other than that, some Chinese artists performed giving us an insight of the Chinese city of Chengdu and it’s art and culture, as China will be the host to the BRICS Film Festival next year.