Telangana Bengali Film Festival kicks off in the city

Hyderabad: Telangana Bengali Film Festival kicked off ” Aayna” its 3rd edition at Prasad preview theatre, Banjara Hills. The much-awaited festival will showcase 22 diverse and acclaimed movies and will have renowned Bollywood and Tollywood actors/directors in attendance.

The festival was inaugurated by Dr. S.K. Joshi, IAS, Chief Secretary, Government of Telangana. Mr. Jayesh Ranjan, IAS, Principal Secretary IT, Government of Telangana, Mr. C Parthasarathi, IAS – Principal Secretary Agriculture & Tourism, Mr. Anjani Kumar, Commissioner of Police, Mr. Harikrishna Mamidi, Director – Language and Culture, Ms Rakhi Gulzar, Veteran Indian Film Actress, Mr. Rahul Rawail, Indian film Director, filmmaker and chairperson of IFFI Indian Panorama, Mr. Bratya Basu, Minister of Forests, West Bengal, Mr. Saswata Chatterjee, Indian Film Actor, Ms. Aparna Sen, Indian Filmmaker, Screenwriter, and Actress, Mr. Abir Chatterjee, Indian Film actor, Mr. Md Ali Baig, Indian Theatre Personality and many well-known actors and directors were also present at the event.

The festival has been organized by Hyderabad Bangalee Samity in association with Utsab Cultural Association, Moving Images, and the movie buffs of the city.

The first day of the festival highlights three critically acclaimed Bengali films and one French blockbuster. The inaugural film is Ghawre Bairey Aaj. Movies like Nirbaan, Ami Joy Chatterjee, Samsaara, Bohomaan, Purbo Poschim Dokkhin Uttor Ashbei, Kolkatay Kohinoor, Sahobashey, Mitin Mashi, Rajlokkhi o Srikanto will be screened in the three-day fest where Hridmajharey will have a special screening.

Throughout the weekend, film fans will not only have the chance to watch some contemporary premier but also meet with famous stars of Bollywood and Tollywood. Telangana Bengali film festival is excited to screen over 22 films (10 feature films, 8 short films, and 3 foreign films) and celebrate the work of national and international filmmakers at this year’s festival.

Apart from movie screenings, the film festival has unfolded a variety of striking activities like acting and theatre workshop by Mr. Mohammad Ali Baig(Theatre professional )& Mr. Debasish Sen Sharma(independent filmmaker & director), a photo exhibition of Mr. Ritwik Ghatak & Mr. Goutam Ghose, cookery competition and an exclusive store by Kolkata’s exclusive Glamour Boutique.

Speaking on the occasion Mr. Ranjan Kumar Roy Choudhury, Chairman of TBFF and President of HBS says, “Eight lakh bengalis reside in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, who are parched for cultural shows or movie screenings in Bengali. TBFF – Aayna, 2019 looks forward to uniting the huge Bengali diaspora living in Hyderabad and beyond and help them connect with the artistic, social, cultural and political ethos of their roots”.

Mr. Sumit Sen, Convener TBFF and Gen Secretary Hyderabad Bangalee Samity says, “We are delighted to begin the most awaited artistic carnival in the city. The film festival brought a bouquet of award-winning and much-lauded films during the three-day festival and a chance to interact with the top stars during various interactive sessions. We have seasoned as well as young faces from our very own Tollywood gracing the festival. We have named this film festival as Aayna which means Mirroring Life, aiming at celebrating all the emotions in a reel that we go through in reality”.

Mr. Krishnendu Roy, Joint Convener, Utsab Cultural Association says “We are extremely glad to be a part of the biggest extravaganza this year. For all movie buffs around the city, this interactive film festival will bring a unique experience talking emotions and various aspects that surface during the making of films.”

Mr. Joy Kumar Dutta, the Festival Director says, “This is the 3rd edition of TBFF and we are overjoyed to bring some renowned names of Bollywood and Tollywood film industries in Hyderabad. We look forward to your gracious presence during the three days of the festival”.

With higher than ever tickets sales, all signs point to another record-breaking Telangana Bengali Film Festival in 2019.