Filmy Phulkari

The International Punjabi Film Festival will showcase films in a language spoken by a sizeable population in the Capital.

Rawail Singh is towing a simple line of thought Delhi houses one of the biggest populations of Punjabis and Punjabi-speaking people,and its time they got a taste of Punjabi cinema. The general notion is why release Punjabi films in Delhi when there is no audience for it? I contest that,for Delhi has a sizeable Punjabi audience and they should be treated to films coming out of Punjab, says Singh,Secretary,Punjabi Academy,as the second edition of the International Punjabi Film Festival kicks off in the Capital on Thursday.

The next few days of the festival will see three films per day screened in the commercial section. This includes films such as Ik Kudi Punjab Di,Ekam,Khushiyan,Jawani Zindabad,Yaar Anmulle,Sukhmani,Jihne Mere Dil Lutiya,Mitti and Heer Ranjha,which will be screened from January 13-15 at Odeon Cinema in Connaught Place.

The opening day,however,was dedicated to documentaries Aatu Khoji (by Rajeev Sharma),Pakhi,based on a story by Santokh Singh Dhir,(by Gurcharan Singh Chani),Bhai Vir Singh (by Amarjit Singh) and Punjabi University Patialas Adda Khadda: The Game of Life (by Paramjit Kittu).

While Singh is expecting filmmakers,actors and intellectuals from the Punjabi film industry to grace the festival,Chani feels the festival is just the first step in the right direction. There is a lot to be done in terms of selection of films,of committees who go over them,of initiating a dialogue,seminar and talks, he reflects. Singh agrees. We are fed superficial films from Bollywood,its time we showcased real Punjabi films, he says.

On a closer look,while the line-up of documentaries was diverse they deal with subjects ranging from class conflict to history to culture,its the commercial section that is weak. The year 2011 saw the release of successful films such as Dharti,which hasnt made it to the festivals list.

But as Singh points out,Film is one of the most popular mediums for promoting ethnic cultures,and we are trying to do that.

The festival will be held till January 15 at Odeon Cinema,Connaught Place.

http://www.punjabiacademy.com

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