Audiences voted for their favorite films across 28 screenings during the festival.
The London Indian Film Festival is dedicated to expressing the drive and spirit of Indian independent cinema.
The festival opened with the World Premiere of Abhinay Deo’s “Delhi Belly”, produced by Aamir Khan Productions and UTV Motion Pictures and closed with the UK premiere of Srijit Mukherji’s hit film “Autograph”, both at the Cineworld Haymarket.
The closing night screening was preceded by a performance by chart-topping musician Raghu Dixit and followed by a lively Q&A with “Autograph” star Nandana Sen, who also stars in “Rang Rasiya”.
Ketan Mehta’s film Rang Rasiya was screened at the venues On 1st July 7.00pm at V&A, 2nd July at 6.30pm Watermans Cinema, 6th July 6.30 pm at Cineworld, Woodgereen, and 10th July 6.30pm at Cineworld, Feltham and 11th July 6.30 pm at Cineworld, Feltham.
Ketan Mehta is overwhelmed by the spectacular response.
He said: “It is like an honor to me to represent my country here. The feeling of being appreciated in other country among so many people is priceless. London Indian Film Festival that showcases Indian independent cinema is an exciting & timely initiative I support it whole heartedly.”
“I am thrilled that my passion project has won the coveted audience award at the London Indian Film Festival. The premiere in the historic surroundings of the Victoria & Albert museum was wonderful and the interaction with London audiences was great. This award is the icing on the cake.”
Festival Director Cary Sawhney said: “It’s been an amazing year for us, in spite of the recession; many people have got behind our festival and really made it work, including our internationally known team.
"In just two years we are pleased to have brought to London some of India’s top talent, including the World Premiere of Delhi Belly from the Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan stable, which has become a global hit; to sold out Q&As with leading independent directors Anurag Kashyap, Rituparno Ghosh and the legendary Ketan Mehta, at some of London’s top venues."
Ketan Mehta’s film charts the life of the great Indian artist Raja Ravi Varma (played by Randeep Hooda), from his early days under the patronage of a King of Kerala, moving on to British Bombay in the late 1800s, where he makes his fortune.
Here the genius gives birth to Indian modern art and helps inspire the independence movement and the dawning of Indian cinema with his depictions, which bring to life the Hindu gods and goddesses. He must first find his muse who comes in the lavish form of Sugandha (Nandana Sen). Varma’s fascination for his model turns into a torrid, paint-smeared, love affair, which is reflected in his art.
The religious power broker sees his increasingly eroticised work as dangerous and Varma is dragged to the British courts to be tried for blasphemy.
Mehta’s homage offers not only a spectacular insight into a turning point in Indian history, but also questions the freedom of the artist in contemporary society. Not to be missed!
