Teary Applause

The Japanese Wife is finally getting a theatre release and the cast and crew made no attempt to hide their excitement at its premiere in Mumbai last week. Director Aparna Sen,wearing a stunning turquoise saree,made sure she arrived first so that she could personally welcome all the guests. Ramesh Sippy,daughter Konkona Sen Sharma,Ranvir Shorey,Sandhya Mridul,Maria Goretti and Tannishtha Chatterjee walked in on time to watch the film. While the summer heat prompted everyone to wear their cotton bests,Rahul Bose walked in a heavy suit and shiny tie. Wheelchair-bound Shabana Azmi came to wish Sen,but couldn’t stay to watch the film. The reaction of the audience was the same as it has been at all the previous shows of this tearjerker; they walked out with moist eyes.