Press Trust of India
|
March 30, 2012 16:06 IST
(Mumbai)
A festival showing the films made by
producer-director Vidhu Vinod Chopra kicked off to a roaring
start here with several political and B-town biggies attending
the first of its kind retrospective of his movies.
The cinematic event is being held at various PVR Cinemas
across the nation from March 29 to April 4 to mark Chopra's
completion of 30 years in the film industry.
Chopra started his journey in filmdom with short films
like Murder At Monkey Hill and Encounter with Faces. His
first feature film, shot in black-and-white was Sazaa-E-Maut
(1981).
He is best known for films like Parinda, 1942: A
Love Story, Mission Kashmir, Munna Bhai series,
Parineeta and Three Idiots.
Several stalwarts including senior BJP leader L K Advani,
Union Minister Farooq Abdullah, Mukesh Ambani with wife Nita,
Rajkumar Hirani, Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt with wife Manyatta,
Jackie Shroff, Manisha Koirala, Sudhir Mishra, Amol Gupte,
Anurag Kashyap, Siram Raghavan, Danny Denzongpa, Sharman
Joshi, singer Kavita Krishnamurthy, music director Anu Malik
were present at the PVR Juhu cinema to celebrate '30 years of
Striving in Cinema' - A Festival of Vinod Chopra Films'.
Both Advani and Abdullah said they were great fans of
Chopra's films.
"Among Indian filmmakers, Vinod is one of the greatest.
He is one such filmmaker whose films I have seen and respect a
lot. Recently, I liked 3 Idiots the most," Advani said here
last night.
Even Union Minister Farooq Abdullah was full of praise
for the filmmaker.
"Vinod Bhai is a wonderful director and producer and none
of his films have failed. Instead all of his films have a
lesson to learn from and at the same time there was
entertainment also," Abdullah said.
"Munnabhai did wonders for him and was liked by
everyone, everywhere. Also, he made Mission Kashmir when the
time was difficult there. And my Chief Secretary's house was
demolished. But it was a fantastic film," Abdullah added.
The festival screenings kicked off today with a Red
Carpet Premiere of Chopra's one of the blockbuster film
Parinda (1989).
"I am excited about the festival. When I watch the films
I feel they are meant to be seen on the big screen and not on
DVDs. I am looking forward to see Parinda, Khamosh. I have
been associated with Vinod for ten years, so I am looking
forward to see his old films," Rajkumar Hirani said.
"He is one of the finest directors we have today. I was
fortunate to work with him. During 1942: A Love Story we had
a great team. I have lot of memories," actress Manisha Koirala
said.
"I am completely honored to be here. In my opinion it is
one of the most successful production houses of recent times.
The work he (Vidhu Vinod Chopra) has been doing since 30 years
is great. I have been fortunate to work with him in 3 Idiots
and now again honored to be part of Ferrari Ki Sawari,"
actor Sharman Joshi said.
All the films made under Vinod Chopra Films including
those like Khamosh (1985) will be screened for the audience
at this festival. Also, cast and crew of a particular film
including stars like Aamir Khan, Shabana Azmi, Manisha
Koirala, Sanjay Dutt and others will join for discussions
during the festival.
The filmmaker also plans to release the screenplay of
Guru Dutt's classic Sahib, Biwi Aur Ghulam during the fest.