'Maine Gandhi...' triumphs at US film fes

Anupam Kher's "Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara" has won the awards for best film and best actor at the Riverside International Film Festival, California.

"I never imagined it would go so far," said Anupam Kher about his film, directed by Jahnu Barua that triumphed at the small but prestigious film festival in California last week.

"I have just been informed about this," Kher said from near London where he is shooting for Dharmesh Darshan's "Aap Ki Khatir".

"I wish I had been there. But unfortunately because of my shooting here I couldn't. My loss entirely! I am happy that my performance has been recognised at the Riverside festival.

"But I am happier that the film has been recognised. 'Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara' is such an Indian film in theme, characters and treatment that international audiences in Karachi or California can actually empathise with the film's Gandhian philosophy is amazing."

Incidentally, Rohan Sippy's "Bluffmaster" and Pradeep Sarkar's "Parineeta" were also at the Riverside festival.