Indian American's film on blind wins applause

Mumbai, March 7 (IANS) Indian American Bala Rajasekharuni's unique movie for the blind, titled 'Blind Ambition', Friday received accolades at the ongoing 10th International Film Festival, Mumbai.

'Blind Ambition', endorsed by the National Federation of the Blind, California, is Rajasekharuni's second movie after 'Green Card Fever', made in 2002.

Though 'Blind Ambition' is yet to be released in the US theatrically, it has won the Independent Spirit Award at the recently held International Family Film Festival, Hollywood.

The film is about a young blind girl, Sapna, who aspires to run in a marathon as a tribute to the memory of her lost mother.

Goaded by her brother Surya and his friend Wild Bill, she finally takes part in a marathon, having been coached by a professional. That's what the movie is all about.

It also depicts her as a normal girl driving a car herself, going on her first date with her boyfriend and getting her first touch of a kiss. It is also interspersed with light-hearted moments, so that it does not elicit sympathy for the blind girl.

The movie was shot during an actual marathon in California with 5,000 runners.

The print screened at the MAMI festival, however, was not the 'descriptive version' specially meant for the blind.

Michelle Massey, a Pakistani Christian girl born in the US, plays the role of Sapna.

The cast also includes Bollywood 'bad man' Gulshan Grover, Deep Katdare, who earlier featured in 'American Desi', 'Green Card Fever' and 'Bombay Dreams', Christopher Atkins of 'Blue Lagoon' fame and Venessa Angel, better known for her appearance in 'Baywatch' TV series.

The 96-minute movie will again be shown at the Metro Adlabs Saturday afternoon.

Rajasekharuni's debut movie 'Green Card Fever' had also been screened at the MAMI Fest in 2002.