GECs
IFFLA announces 2005 movie line-up
MUMBAI: Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Black will be the first film to be showcased at this year’s edition of the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA ) which will kick off on 20 April. IFFLA is the US festival dedicated to presenting the cinema of India by showcasing films by Indian and international filmmakers.
The event will close on 24 April with Bharatbala’s Hari Om. IFFLA will take place at ArcLight Hollywood (6360 Sunset Blvd), the official home of the festival.
“This year’s programme includes a number of exciting discoveries from truly independent to regional to Bollywood films,” said IFFLA festival director Christina Marouda. “We are particularly proud to offer Los Angeles premieres of some of the finest recent examples of Indian cinema,” added IFFLA programmer in India Uma Da Cunha.
IFFLA 2005 has lined up panel discussions, special movie screenings and live performances in the five-day long event. This will also include 11 US movie premieres and five world premieres. The event will attempt to present a clear idea to the world on Indian cinema and culture with the screening of 30 special films.
A panel discussion on “Co-producing with India: The new frontier for international production” will be attended by personalities such as Mark Burton of WonderFilms, Anand Desai, DSK Legal, India and Dileep Singh of OTR Productions. The session, moderated by Blueprint Artist Management’s Alpita Patel, will be held on 23 April at 4:30 PM
IFFLA will also host jury and audience choice competitions for best feature, documentary and short films. The jurors will include: Mira Advani, Radha Mitchell and Cheng-Sim Lim for features; Gotham Chopra, Paul Wolansky and Catherine Park for shorts; Noel DA Souza, Parminder Nagra and Vinay Lal for documentaries.
GECs
Sony PAL to air Sankat Mochan Hanuman from May 4 at 9 PM
Mythological series brings Lord Hanuman’s tale of devotion and courage back to TV
MUMBAI: Sony PAL is set to bring back the timeless mythological series Sankat Mochan Hanuman, with its premiere scheduled for May 4 at 9 PM. The show revisits the legendary journey of Lord Hanuman, offering viewers a chance to reconnect with one of Indian mythology’s most revered figures.
Centred on themes of devotion, courage and righteousness, the series traces Hanuman’s unwavering loyalty to Lord Ram and his fearless stand against evil. With its mix of dramatic storytelling and visually rich sequences, the show aims to deliver both entertainment and spiritual resonance, appealing to audiences across age groups.
The narrative unfolds as a larger-than-life saga, positioning Hanuman as the ultimate protector and a symbol of strength and selfless service. His journey, rooted in faith and duty, continues to strike a chord with viewers, making the series as relevant today as ever.
The cast features Gagan Malik as Lord Ram, Debalina Chatterjee as Sita, Nirbhay Wadhwa in the titular role, and Saurav Gurjar as Raavan. Their performances bring depth and authenticity to characters deeply embedded in Indian cultural memory.
With its return to television, the show is positioned as more than just a rerun. It taps into a renewed appetite for mythological storytelling, blending nostalgia with timeless values.
As audiences increasingly seek content that resonates beyond entertainment, ‘Sankat Mochan Hanuman’ offers a familiar yet powerful narrative, reminding viewers that stories of faith and courage never really go out of style.
