Monsoon treat for kids: Gattu in city

Director Khosa,who was present at the inauguration ceremony,was overwhelmed by the response from the city and its kids. “I am delighted to be in Kolkata,the great city of Ray and Tagore. After seeing the reaction of people across the world,I am moved by the response of people in Kolkata. I hope Gattu will inspire the child in every adult and compel them to fulfil their dreams,” Khosa said on the sidelines of the screening.

The film has received many international honours,including special mention at the 62 Berlin International Film Festival and two awards at the Indian Film Festival at Los Angeles.

“In Germany,at a screening attended by more than 1,200 children,it was a unique experience when they got up and chanted encore. I am very keen to see the response in India,” Khosa said.

Gattu,which will release across 30 cities,has been shot in Roorkee. “Mohammad Samad,who plays Gattu,is a resident of Sati Mohallah,where the film was primarily shot. I had to rewrite the script for this boy,who brought alive the naughty,passionate kite-loving character,” the director said.

Vice-chairperson of CFSI Kavita Anand,who was also present at the inauguration ceremony,said,“We have loved the reaction of children and adults to the films we have shown in festivals across the country. We know Kolkata is in for a similar treat. Even better,we know that many exciting discussions will take place in families and classrooms because of the powerful content of our films.”

Other films to be screened in the three-day fiesta include Rituparno Ghosh’s Hirer Aangti,Shyam Benegal’s Charandas Chor,Ajay Kartik’s Karmati Coat,Santosh Sivan’s Malli and Pankaj Advani’s Sunday.