News and pics: Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media network- Mumbai
Mumbai, June 2: WIFT, India’s monthly screening club cine corner and filmmaker Anurag Kashyap hosted the premiere of the documentary film 'The World Before Her' directed by Nisha Pahuja.
The premiere witnessed the coming together of some of the renowned personalities from different film backgrounds who were seen sharing their experiences with the enthralled audience. The screening was followed by a question and answer session by Anurag Kashyap and the cast of the film. It was a long chat session for all aspiring filmmakers who had a story to tell and to interact directly with well-known documentary film experts.
India born Canadian filmmaker, Nisha Pahuja’s 'The World Before Her' explores the complex and conflicting environment for young girls in India by profiling two young women - Ruhi Singh, who aspires to become Miss India and Prachi Trivedi, a militant Hindu nationalist with the Durga Vahini - participating in two very different types of training camps.
On this occasion, acclaimed filmmaker, Anurag Kashyap said, “I could not have asked for a better platform other than WIFT (Women in Film and Television Association India). With 50 chapters globally, Nisha's connect with WIFT Toronto and now WIFT India proves that being connected is important for the independent filmmaker. WIFT India's support to encourage independent women filmmakers via cine corner is a much needed platform for the premiere of 'The World Before Her.' So it is going to be a women's show all the way!”
According to Petrina D’Rozario, founder president, WIFT India said, "The power of a platform like WIFT and cine corner proves that good films do not have to go unnoticed just because these independent filmmakers do not have a marketing budget. We have been discussing how to support independent films and I took the idea of cine corner to fun cinemas, Vishal Anand the senior VP marketing who was game! So we have cine corner a monthly screening club for WIFT India members and film lovers. Every month we will screen one film made by a woman filmmaker – documentary, feature or short(s). The film will be followed by a discussion with the key crew/cast of the film with a thought to support and encourage independent women filmmakers -locally, nationally and internationally."
Director Nisha Pahuja, delightfully said, "After more than a year of trying to release 'The World Before Her' in India it is finally happening! I am so thrilled that WIFT has given us the honor of premiering the film through cine corner. Like WIFT, those of us involved in the India release know the impact that women's stories can have and increasingly WIFT is helping get those stories to the mainstream. I cannot imagine a better platform or a more perfect organization to be working with. ”
Anand Vishal, head, operations and sales, fun cinemas said, "We have always believed in supporting independent and alternate cinema. And since it is via our association with WIFT, together we celebrate the contribution of women in Indian cinema, it is even more meaningful. ‘The World Before Her’ promises to be an excellent watch and we are inviting our loyal members to be a part of and experience this alliance. At fun cinemas we truly believe in showcasing products which are for the women, by the women. Thank you WIFT for bringing this to us and we take great pride in hosting this event."
Also present at the screening were Kalki Koechlin, Shilpa Shukla, Nimrat kaur, Elli Avram, Pallavi Sharda and Ajay Bahl to show their support for the documentary.