New York Indian Film Festival ended with the New York premiere of the film ‘My Big Fat Bride’ (Dum Laga Ke Haisha), a Yashraj production starring Ayushman Khurana, directed by Sharat Katariya. It’s a sweet romantic comedy, about a small town boy’s forced marriage to a bride of “not-his-choice”, because she’s “fat”, or he’s not “ready”. The film explores the conventional traditions around marriage and relationships, in India and also dwells in to people’s psyche around love and family. Even though the film is very predictable and clichéd and it’s still heartfelt, funny, light and fun. The performances of all the actors are on-the-spot, specially the debutant actress Bhumi Pednekar. The screening was followed by a discussion with the director, where he talked about upcoming releases of this film in US.

There were also wonderful performances by dancers of Bollywood Touch, Indian singer Falu. NYIFF2015 Awards ceremony followed right after, where ‘Labor of Love’ was the big winner with both Best Director and Best Film. Nawazuddin Siddiqui won the best actor for ‘Haraamkhor’ and best actress for Kalki Koechlin. After the award ceremony, the night moved on to the after-party with delicious dinner from Awadh Restaurant. Drinks flowed while the celebrities, filmmakers, actors, organizers, volunteers and everyone else enjoyed the night. There was also a beautiful dance performance by Anu Sahasrabudhe of Mudavis and a lovely fashion show of Indian attires. The closing night of the New York Indian Film Festival was truly joyful celebration of a wonderful event that celebrates Indian Independent films and cinema.

Actress Kalki Koechelin

Hansal Mehta,

The 15th New York Indian Film Festival opened at the iconic Paris Theater this year. The lineup of Indian and international celebrities was amazing. From celebrated Indian filmmakers like Vishal Bharadwaj, Hansal Mehta, Shonali Bose, Dev Benegal amongst many; to famous actors like Kalki Koechlin, Mohan Agashe amongst many others; the red carpet was beaming with excellent talent and glamor.

Opening night of the Indian Film Festival at the Paris theater in Midtown began with history in the making. The feature for the night was Margarita With A Straw. It set a new standard for Indian cinema, and brought a seldom heard voice to world cinema; giving us a glimpse of an intimate portrait of love, sex and disability. The story is about Laila (Kalki Koechelin) an outgoing wheelchair bound teenager with cerebral palsy who is absolutely determined to have a normal life despite her challenges, and ends up on embarking on a journey of self-discovery and sexual awakening as she moves from India to New York City to attend NYU. Her growth cause friction in her family, and as secretes begin to spill she learns she’s not the only one in her family that’s struggling.

Here is the official trailer for Margarita With A Straw, starring Kalki Koechlin. This is a tale about a young rebellious woman who embarks on a breathtaking journey of self-discovery. In Cinemas Now!

Kalki Koechelin, Shonali Bose and Sayani Gupta (L-R)

Vishal Bharadwaj (L) and Art Shrian (R)

Simply put it was an actor’s film; it could have not been achieved without the performance of a lifetime by actress Kalki Koechelin. While the themes are universal, the experience is nothing but, yet the film is completely relatable because of the nature of love. The awkwardness, shyness, rejections; it reminds us, we are all just human after all. The same urges, needs, wants, desires, confusions and fears are what guide us all despite physical appearances. Don’t be surprised if you’re moved and brought to tears by this wonderful film that became a vessel to explore the depths of the writer/director Shonali Bose’s own experiences in love and loss. It’s what gives it a certain genuine charm that would have otherwise been missing.

NYIFF 2015 Official Trailer Promo by NY Dreams Production (www.NYDREAMS.com)

The screening was followed by Q&A with the director & cast of the film. Shonali shared her passion about this subject and her relation to this subject through her own family member who lived with cerebral palsy, which inspired her to make this movie. Kalki talked about the process as an actor to prepare for such a role, where she not only did deep research on the subject but practiced being Laila for over 6 months, before she got in front of the camera. Shonali also shared her struggle to get the movie through Indian censors, asking for over 10 cuts, until she went to review committee which let it pass with only 1 cut and an “A” certificate. The movie has been a sleeper hit doing great business in India and wide recognition worldwide.

To learn more about New York Indian Film Festival 2015, check links below:
http://www.mynewyorkeye.com/awards-and-festivals-news/new-york-indian-film-festival-2015-celebrating-the-best-of-indian-south-asian-cinema
http://www.iaac.us/NYIFF2015/