Apharan, Mangal Pandey to be screened in

Jerusalem, Dec. 29 (PTI): Prakash Jha's film on Bihar's thriving kidnapping industry 'Apharan' and Aamir Khan starrer 'Mangal Pandey' will be screened along with eight other subcontinent films in three Israeli cities as the West Asian nation is gearing up for an Indian Film Festival in January.

The 'Film Festival of India in Israel' (FFII), which will travel to Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Haifa will have Ajay Devgan starrer 'Apharan' as its inaugural film while its director Jha and Mangal Pandey's maker Ketan Mehta will fly to Israel for the festival.

The other films being screened at the festival, scheduled between January 5 and 18, organised by Indian Embassy, Israel Foregin Ministry and Cinematheques are Being Cyrus, Mr and Mrs Iyer (both English), Mouna Ragam (Tamil), Vidheyan (Malayalam), Vastu Purush (Marathi) and Yahaan (Hindi).

The announcement of the Film Festival has generated immense interest in the Indian community and young Israeli lovers of Indian culture as they would be treated to different streams of contemporary Indian cinema.

"I can't believe that they are bringing such recent Bollywood blockbusters for the festival. So far we had to contend with classy Indian stuff generally with one or two commercial films every now and then", 67-year-old Eliyahu Yosef said glancing through the programme list.

An excited Yona Chandawakar said that she has already started making arrangements at work and home to suit the film schedule.

Israeli youngster Oren, who has a "sentimental attachment" with India, said he would not miss any films during the festival.

"There has hardly been an Indian film screening or Indian cultural event in Jerusalem that I have missed during the last few years since I developed a sentimental attachment to that country", Oren said.

Hebrew University student Na'ama has a different view about Bollywood films. "I love Bollywood blockbusters as they transport you to a new illusionary world outside the mundane."

"Go prepared not to look for intellectual stuff and what you get is three hours of unadulterated fun", says Na'ama.

The presence of Jha and Mehta has also added to the interest among Indian movie freaks.

"I have heard about Jha that he makes good films. Ketan Mehta is also a big director. We are awaiting their arrival here so that we can interact with them," says Yona Maliker, 48, who immigrated to Israel at the age of 17 from Madhya Pradesh.

Copyright 2005 by MusicIndiaOnLine.com