Chandigarh film festival gets underway

Chandigarh, Feb 1 (IANS) The second Chandigarh film festival got underway here Friday in the presence of noted filmmaker Shyam Benegal and other film personalities.

'Junoon', a Hindi film directed by Shyam Benegal in 1978, was the first film to be screened at the festival.

Actress and Children's Film Society of India chairperson Nafisa Ali was also present at the inauguration ceremony.

Dada Saheb Phalke award winner Benegal said that the attempt by the authorities to hold the film festival at Chandigarh was appreciable.

'It is a great place to come. It was important that all capital cities of the states should have international film festivals. The momentum has already begun with the likes of Delhi, Thiruvananthapuram, Bangalore, Chennai and Chandigarh taking the lead on this front,' Benegal said.

Noted film director M.S. Sathyu and Nafisa Ali also addressed the inaugural function.

Later, film actress and MP Hema Malini performed a Durga ballet at the Leisure Valley as part of the events lined up for the five-day festival.

Besides screening of Hindi and international films, the festival will have interactive sessions with leading film personalities and technical sessions on film production and related areas.

Among the films to be screened are latest blockbusters like 'Chak De! India', 'Page 3' and 'Dil Chahta Hai'.

Six international films to be screened during the festival are from France, Croatia, Hungary and Iran.

A special category of films - those shot in and around Chandigarh - will also be screened.