LAHORE: Following the success of Saving Face, which earned an Oscar last month, the films Bol and the yet-to-be released Tamanna have started generating buzz as they have been shortlisted for the 14th London Asian Film Festival, set to place from the March 16 to 24.
The festival, over the years, has developed a reputation for focusing on films depicting the problems prevalent in Asian countries as well as highlighting the major works from Bollywood, Lollywood and Hollywood. This year’s festival will be attended by Bollywood stars including Abhishek Bachchan, Naseeruddin Shah, who will discuss at length the state of South Asian films.
The Pakistani film section will be headlined by a screening of Shoaib Mansoor’s Bol which will be followed by a question and answer session with the film’s lead actor Humaima Malick. Additionally, there will also be a documentary on behind-the-scenes of the film Tamanna which will discuss both the film and the Pakistani film industry.
Additionally, Pakistani singers Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan have been shortlisted in the category of ‘The Best Music Talent’ for their songs “Bol” and “Koi Dil Mein” (from the movie Tamanna) respectively. Joining them in the same category is AR Rehman, who has been shortlisted for the soundtrack of Michael Winterbottom’s film Trishna.
Tamanna’s music director Sahir Ali claims that the festival has been important in promoting South Asian films and it’s a great achievement for Pakistani cinema and music that they are allowed to compete on a global stage. “Following the Oscars, this is a huge breakthrough for Pakistani music and cinema,” adds Ali.
While talking about working on Tamanna’s music, Ali says “We decided to work with the team because they were doing something new and original.” The musician also revealed that he recently released a new track for the film’s soundtrack “Allah hoo”.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 12th, 2012.
COMMENTS (12)
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@ifthikhahmad: i suggest you do a bit of research before making such statements. The London Asian Film festival is one of the most respected South Asian film festivals held in UK with patrons such as the Bachans, Mira Nair (Salaam Bombay), Shyam Benegal, Nandita Das, and other "internationally" recognized Indian filmmakers . And Michael Winterbottom was fully aware of his film being shown, Riz Ahmed (the actor of Trishna) won the award for his film and was present at the event and A.R. Rehman was invited as a nominee guest. Please get your facts straight before embarrassing yourself and other Pakistanis on an online forum.
London Asian Fil Festival is a joke created by few Indians living in London. The so-called festival is an ethnic social event with non-entities forming part of their team. Pakistan has to make films that shown in known and recognised festivals around the world. BOL though made by a very talented film maker, did not pass the tests for entries into such festivals around the world, like Cannes, London Film Festival, Raindance Film Festival, Abu Dhabi, New York, San Fransisco, India etc. The funniest comments made by some were that they beat Michael Winterbottom and A R Rehman in the "race". They won't even know who showed their film and whether they had permission from the producers.
Huh BOL! such a bogus movie i have ever seen.
Rahat won the award fro best music talent! Woohoo!!
atif u r amazing
@Salim: he has the largest fan base amonst all south asian singer so u cango in a corner and cry because ur opinion is rubbish
@arif: 100 % agree with you
This is a good an accurate article by Sher Ali, it is about the London Asian Film Festival and two good films produced against all odds from Pakistan's struggling industry. It is not about Atif Aslam or any other singers, whatever is said about them is irrelevant.
Atif might not be the most technically sound singer around but there's definitely something about him that has enabled him to be so successful. He has to be doing something right. And there's no doubt that he does have a unique voice which like Nusrat's stands out!
@Salim: ironically he doesn't care what you think. Haters gonna hatee
when rahat sings he insult the whole singing fraternity hahha