India is finally getting its day in the L.A. sun courtesy of a
mega-showcase of that country's arts, business, technology and
spirituality.
There's even a chance to chow down on Indian delicacies and a closing-night dance extravaganza.
Marketed
as "India Splendor," the event runs Aug. 10-15 and will focus on Indian
cinema. It has lined up a plethora of prominent Indian nationals --
film producers, directors and performers as well as politicos and
spiritual gurus -- to participate.
Coinciding with the 60th
anniversary of the nation's independence, "India Splendor" is
spearheaded by MGlobal Trust in association with ICM and the UCLA
School of Theater, Film and Television.
"Our vision has been to
bring all the facets of Indian culture, including our booming film
industry, to the U.S. in jointly celebrating this momentous mark in
history," said Bhupendra Kumar Modi, chairman of Indian conglom MCorp
Global.
Idea behind the event is to make Indian culture more accessible to U.S. audiences.
"Indian
cinema is an important force, and we are pleased to help lead an
exchange of ideas and artistic expression between filmmakers from
Mumbai to Los Angeles," added ICM chairman-chief exec Jeffrey Berg.
Veteran
India-born Hollywood producer Ashok Amritraj is the event's cultural
ambassador. Opening-night film is "Chak de India" (Come on India),
which centers on Indian sports-themed pics and is the first Hindi
feature to debut day-and-date in India and America. Movie stars Shah
Rukh Khan and is directed by Shimit Amin, who will participate after
the screening in a Q&A with the film's writer, Jaideep
Sahni. There's also a tribute to late Indian film legend Raj Kapoor and
a 25th anni screening of "Gandhi."
The fest will unspool at four
venues: the Samuel Goldwyn Theater (AMPAS); the Hammer Museum's Billy
Wilder Theater; and the James Bridges Theater and Royce Hall, both at
UCLA.
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