Chandigarh lit fest concludes on positive note

Gupta is an acclaimed Indian film maker and screen writer,who debuted as director with the critically acclaimed Aamir and followed it up with the Rani Mukherjee and Vidya Balan starrer No one Killed Jessica,based on the Jessica Lal murder case,which also received critical acclaim. He was also the associate director of the films like Black Friday and No Smoking. His recent project was Ghanchakkar,which released in June this year,receiving mixed reviews from critics.

“As a director you pick up challenges and in case of Ghanchakkar the story appealed to me even when I was aware it would not be universally accepted”,Gupta said,adding that the movie was not about a plot but about characters and one incident.

He said he was now working on a new project on Chetan Bhagat’s book ­. The novel is based on the “rampant corruption” apparent in the Indian youth educational system.

Sessions for the concluding day included The Mirror of Beauty,with author Shamsur Rahman Faruqi in conversation with critic M Asaduddin; Kari,with author Amruta Patil in conversation with critic Manjula Narayan; The Competent Authority with author Shovon Chowdhury in conversation with critic Deepanjana Pal; Death in Mumbai,with author Meenal Baghel in conversation with critic Trisha Gupta,and Em and the Big Hoom,with author Jerry Pinto in conversation with critic Nirupama Dutt.

Critics presented their analysis of the books and helped audience members gain insight on the literary merits (or demerits) of the books. The critics also engaged with the books’ authors,giving readers a glimpse at the mechanics of planning and writing of a book.

“This unique format of celebrating the books rather than the authors is interestingly going to change the face of literature festivals”,said Mitul Dixit,chairman,Adab Foundation.

Festival director Altaf Tyrewala said,“At the festival,13 individual books were dissected,analysed and read out. Thirteen of India’s leading literary critics were invited to nominate a book of their choice,” adding that it was heartening to see people taking interest in such a festival and hoped that those who were a part of it would take home good memories.

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