Great news for those of you guys who reside in New York City. "Being Cyrus" and "The Blue Umbrella" will be making its premiere at the South Asian International Film Festival this year. Anyone who gets to check out either of these two films or any other film running in this festival, please do come and report back to us.


-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bollywood platter in New York

Faheem Ruhani Tuesday, November 22, 2005 18:33 IST


The second South Asian International Film Festival (SAIFF) to be held in New York will have a sizeable representation from India. The five-day festival, which begins on December 7, will showcase about 15 short films and documentaries and 10 feature films from India.

The festival will kickstart with a screening of Bharatbala Ganpathy’s ‘Hari Om’ at Lowe Kips Bay Theatre. The screening will be preceded by a special felicitation of Oscar-winning costume designer Bhanu Athaiya for her abiding contribution to cinema.

‘Hari Om’, starring Vijay Raaz and veteran actor AK Hangal, takes an unforgettable tour of Rajasthan, as autorickshaw driver and French tourist set out on a journey for a glimpse of the real India.

‘Being Cyrus’, starring Saif Ali Khan and Dimple Kapadia and directed by debutant Homi Adajania, will also see its world premiere here. Says the film’s lead actor Saif, “I am delighted that ‘Being Cyrus’ is being screened at the SAIFF. You should go and watch it because it’s a very cool movie and lots of fun; it’s the first movie of its kind to come out of Bombay. I am very proud of it.”

Concurs Being Cyrus director, Homi Adajania, "Being Cyrus is a different film coming out of India. It's a rather bizarre journey treated with such casualness that makes the bizarre seem ordinary."

Vishal Bhardwaj’s ‘The Blue Umbrella’, the hotly anticipated follow-up to his widely appreciated ‘Maqbool’, will feature as the closing film at SAIFF. “I am thrilled at the prospect of showing ‘The Blue Umbrella’ at SAIFF 2005. It is a sweet, little film and the festival is an ideal platform to get the exposure it requires,” says Bharadwaj.

Interestingly, Both ‘Cyrus’ and ‘Umbrella’ were the subjects of a New York Times feature last week extolling the rise of New Wave Bollywood, which departs from song-and-dance conventions to present a fresh look at Indian society.

“After such an incredible line-up last year, we’ve managed to top ourselves,” says director of programming, Soman Chainani. “The high quality slate showcased is a testament to the talent coming out of South Asia and the need for an event that gives all of these filmmakers a forum to reach mainstream international audiences.”

Other selections include: ‘Kya Kool Hai Hum’, the sleeper Bollywood superhit; ‘Sancharram’ (The Journey), Liga Pullapully’s controversial depiction of lesbian love in an idyllic Kerala village; ‘Bachelor’, the hit romantic comedy from Bangladesh; ‘Naked In Ashes’, the acclaimed documentary about a young yogi; ‘Kal’, Ruchi Narain’s revelatory look at Indian youth; ‘Hanuman’, the animated box-office hit from India; ‘Hazaaron Khwaeshein Aisi’ and Aparna Sen’s ‘15 Park Avenue’.

“Bigger and better, that’s our mantra,” says Shilen Amin, founder of SAIFF. “There’s something for everyone at this year’s festival, whether it’s the films, panels, or parties.”

Well, since this dodgy national, I have developed kinda disgust to Saif and his repeated YRF/Yash Johar Marka acts!!! Sorry!!