If you had thought that Indian films are stereotyped hero chasing heroine and opulence-challenging-romance routine churned out by Bollywood, you should watch the films that would be screened from October 28 to November 30, 2010 in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Those in the know will vouch for the fact that Indian Cinema came off age more than 60 years ago to produce some of the most spectacular movies that awed even Hollywood producers and directors. 
Contemporary producers and directors of Indian origin have become icons of the film industry in the US, UK and Europe, with their films treated on a par with the best in the world.
Some of these may not be box office hits – that is the point. Good films need not necessarily spin money but they speak of creativity that is unique and inimitable.
Yes India Film Festival will open in Auckland on October 28. Twenty-five films form a part of the Festival including thrillers, drama, tragedy and social issues in Bengali, English, Hindi, Konkani, Malayalam, Punjabi and Tamil.
They include Aiding the Forgotten, Amen, Bioscope, Birds of Prey (Khudakushi), Bollywood Dream, Foreign, I am Alive (Mein Zinda Hoon), Kila Raipur (Destination Sports), Kosu, Mammo, Memoris, My Mother (Aamar Maa), Road to Sangam, Six Stands, Soy Milk, The Forgotten Woman, The Making of Mahatma, The Man Beyond the Bridge (Pattadachos Munis), The Weekly Bazaar (Haat), The White Elephant, Topi, Train to Pakistan, Via Darjeeling, When Traditions Kill (Riwayat) and Window Immolation (Sati).
Wellington based Indian High Commissioner Retired Admiral Sureesh Mehta said as a great medium, Cinema displays national culture and identity.
“It also analyses our society and our life from varied perspectives,” he said.
According to him, India produces more than 1000 films every year in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, Gujarati, English and many other Indian languages.
“There is very limited knowledge in the world about the thought-provoking and meaningful films produced in India by visionary filmmakers,” he said.
Festival Director Ravi Kambhoj said the Festival would be dedicated to films from native India and the Indian Diaspora with a focus on dynamic and visionary cinema.
“The festival would create exposure for filmmakers in an exotic environment and fresh, exciting experiences for its attendees, including filmmakers, industry professionals, media and film buffs,” he said.
For schedule, bookings and other details, visit www.yesindiafilmfestival.org
