AIDS film finds no takers

Mr India, a documentary film on AIDS which has won many national and international awards, is finding no takers for a theatrical release in India.

Mr India, a documentary film depicting the struggles and triumphs of HIV positive bodybuilder Pradeep Kumar may have won several international awards, but is finding no takers for a theatrical release in India.

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Filmmaker Haobam Pabankumar is disappointed that the film will be released on DVDs, despite winning more than 12 national and international awards. The documentary from Manipur was screened in the Indian Panorama section of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

“Getting a theatrical release in India is very difficult but we have found a distributor and some theatre owners in Manipur are interested in screening the film but otherwise it will go to DVDs,” said Pabankumar. The money earned from different awards and DVD sales go to Pradeep, who needs nutrition supplements to continue his effort even as he fights the deadly disease.