An Indian Film Shows Amid Fears Of Violence

India's culture czars are showing a lack of foresight over Nepal, holding a film festival at a time when everyone fears an escalation of violence. The Indian embassy, along with the BP Koirala India-Nepal Foundation, is organising an Indian Film Festival in six Nepali cities. It is to be held in the first three months of 2006.

The Maoists have just ended a unilateral truce and given a call for resumption of armed struggle against the government, which has decided to go ahead with civic elections on February 8 despite a rebel threat to oppose the polls.

Dharan town in south-eastern Nepal will be the first venue for the Indian festival starting January 7, less than a week after the end of the Maoist ceasefire on January 2. After travelling to Janakpur, Birgunj, Pokhara and Nepalgunj, the finale will be in Kathmandu on March 3-5.

Although described as an "Indian Film Festival", only Hindi films have been chosen, ignoring other regional language films. The exclusion of movies from West Bengal, southern India and Sikkim is surprising.

West Bengal has close ties with Nepal's film industry, with directors, music directors and technicians from Kolkata and Darjeeling playing an important role in its inception.

Moreover, the six films to be exhibited ignore the current trendsetters. "Mughal-e-Azam", "Chaudhvin Ka Chand", "Pyasa", "Bobby", "Hip Hip Hurrah" and "Garam Hawa" cover the period from 1957 to 1984.

"Mughal-e-Azam" also had a commercial run in Kathmandu last year.

source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1357777.cms