Forging new ground: Pakistani film shines at Mumbai festival

LAHORE:

In the backdrop of the passing away of Bollywood’s ace filmaker Yash Chopra, the Pakistani film Josh managed to receive a positive response at its screening during the prestigious Mumbai Film Festival on Monday.

Filmmaker Iram Parveen Bilal, who was in Mumbai with actress Aaminah Sheikh, was visibly excited that the film had managed to get popular attention despite concerns of low attendance due to the death of Chopra.

“Playing my film in Bombay had always been a dream, because it was through Bollywood that I was inspired to become a filmmaker, it’s really a dream come true,” said Bilal speaking to The Express Tribune by telephone following the film’s screening.

The film festival suffered a suffered a severe blow at the demise of Yash Chopra, who is seen as the godfather of modern-day Bollywood.

Bilal said there had been worries that many would not show up for the screening but despite the gloom in the air there had been a relatively good turnout.

“A lot of people were there and they all stayed till the end, I was very pleased.  I suppose people really embraced what Yash Chopra would always tell us: ‘The show must go on”.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 23^rd, 2012.