The Vidhu Vinod Chopra produced and Pradeep Sarkar directed film, Parineeta, has been selected for the prestigious Berlin Film Festival. The film is among four Indian films to get a special screening at the festival.
The film, based on the novel of the same name by legendary Bengali writer Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay, is set in the Kolkata of 1960s and features stellar performances from its high-powered cast of Saif Ali Khan, Rekha and Sabyasachi Chakraborty. The film's highlight is the sensational debut of the stunning Vidya Balan, who has won accolades in her first film and also several awards as the best debutante. The film has also been sweeping various award ceremonies in India and is now set to woo international audiences.
The Berlin film fest has another Indian touch to it. Renowned Bollywood filmmaker Yash Chopra will be on the jury of the 56th Berlin Film Festival starting February 9.
British actress Charlotte Rampling will head the panel, which has eight judges including Oscar-winning cinematographer Janusz Kaminski, US artiste Matthew Barney, South Korean actress Lee Young Ae, Dutch director Marleen Gorris, German actor Armin Mueller-Stahl and Hollywood producer Fred Roos.
Over the past five decades, Chopra has moved with the times and crafted hits like Dhool Ka Phool, Dharmputra, Waqt, Deewaar, Kabhi Kabhie, Chandni, Dil To Pagal Hai and Veer-Zaara.
The 10-day festival will showcase 26 films, including movies that are not competing for the festival's top awards, the Golden and Silver Bears. These films include Colin Farrell's epic The New World and George Clooney's thriller Syriana.
Snow Cake, starring Alan Rickman and Sigorney Weaver, will have its world premiere at the festival. The awards will be announced February 18.
{{/usCountry}}Snow Cake, starring Alan Rickman and Sigorney Weaver, will have its world premiere at the festival. The awards will be announced February 18.
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