ওয়াশিংটন বাংলা রেডিও Washington Bangla Radio USA

By Neel B Mitra
Pictures courtesy of Neel B Mitra

There’s suspense in the air and this time its not Feluda, Byomkesh, Kakababu or Arjun – move over adults … GOGOL arrives this summer holidays.

Three Bengali films have been selected to be screened at 2nd Washington DC South Asian Film Festival (DCSAFF) 2013: Shunno Anko (Act Zero) directed by Gautam Ghose, Udhao (Runaway) directed by Amit Ashraf and Meherjaan directed by Rubaiyat Hossain. After a very successful  debut DCSAFF last year, Cesar Production’s Manoj and Geeta Singh are hosting the Second Annual DCSAFF from May 10-12, 2013, at the Intercontinental Crowne Plaza Hotel, 3 Research Court, Rockville, MD 20850. The film festival will start on May 10, 2013 with a red carpet, reception, and opening ceremony and film attended by acclaimed film artists from India. Tickets, venue, showtimes and festival details.

Shyamal Uncle Turns off the Lights continues earning accolades from audiences and critics all over the world. It was screened at the ReelWorld Film Festival in Toronto where it won the award for Outstanding International Feature, a rare feat for a Bengali film. Titled "Shyamal Kaku, Corporationer Baati, Ebong…" in Bengali, the movie continues to generate interest in the festival circuit with upcoming shows this month at the Green Film Festival in Seoul, next month at the Freiburger Film Forum in Germany, and in July at the Indian Film Festival in Stuttgart, Germany. It is also slated for a show at the Smithsonian in Washington DC in August.

The realism shown in the film must also be praised. Many parents often feel that the main protagonist simply eats a Laddoo and becomes strong enough to slay demons single handedly. This has an adverse effect on many children. However in the film, Bheem does not get everything so easily. He has to fight his way and had to succumb to injuries too. This is a healthy dose of realism that has been introduced in this Chota Bheem film.

Mumbai, May 7, 2013 (Washington Bangla Radio): Aanand L Rai is a film maker who started his journey with television. He would still  love to go back to T.V directing whenever television requires him. Aanand made his feature film directorial debut with the 2011 medium-budget money spinner Tanu Weds Manu starring R. Madhavan and Kangana Ranaut. He is extremely excited about his upcoming Hindi film Raanjhanaa that will see South-Indian movie star Dhanush debut in Bollywood. The film maker goes into a straight candid talk with Faisal Saif.