The third edition of the Hyderabad Bengali Film Festival began amidst fanfare at the Prasad Preview Theatre. The festival is the only curated regular Bengali Film Festival in the country and the third festival in the world devoted to Bengali films.
The three-day festival, which will conclude on Sunday, is being organised by Bengalis in Hyderabad (popularly BiH).
The Film Critics Circle of India (FCCI) is partnering with HBFF and are organising a tribute to the legendary screenwriter and litterateur Nabendu Ghosh. Eight films will be screened during the festival, including works like Kolkatar King, Bridge, Anubrata Bhalo Acho? and Babar Naam Gandhiji.
A panel discussion followed the ceremony. Elahe Hiptoola, an associate of filmmaker Nagesh Kukunoor, was part of the panel discussion on “What makes a successful film: Money, Talent or Networking?” along with Madhu Eravankara, an internationally acclaimed filmmaker and Satish Kasetty, a National Award-winning director of the Telugu film Hope.
“There is no particular formula to make a successful film. My film Dhanak had won at Berlin but due to Udta Punjab it got a poor box office opening. It will be screened in theatres here,” said Elahe, at the discussions. Charu Sinha, IPS, and the Director of Anti-corruption Bureau, Telangana, was the chief guest, whereas, the special guest was Chandana Khan, IAS, (Retd.).
