Bhojpuri film fest begins in Patna

Patna, Feb 14 (IANS) A three-day Bhojpuri film and cultural festival began here Monday to mark 50 years of the industry that has a large audience in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

Several well-known faces associated with Bhojpuri culture are attending the festival, where they will discuss the past, present and future of Bhojpuri cinema and its impact on society.

The big attraction of the event will be Bhojpuri stars like Kunal Singh, Manoj Tiwari and Ravi Kishan. Over 10 artistes, including Pundit Chunnulal Mishra, Sharda Sinha, Vijaya Bharti and Bholanath Mishra, will perform at the festival.

Avinash, the brain behind the festival, told IANS that six Bhojpuri films, including 'Ganga Maiya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo', the first Bhojpuri film, would be screened at the festival.

The festival has been organised by the Delhi-based Foundation for Media Culture and Cinema Awareness.

Bhojpuri is a dialect spoken mainly in north Bihar and the Bhojpur district. It is also spoken in parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh.