'Firaaq' bags award at KARA film fest Text

Feb 17, 2009 IANS

Islamabad, Feb 16 (IANS) Two Indian films, - Nandita Das' directorial debut "Firaaq" and a documentary "Superman of Malegaon" - have won the Ciepie awards at the 7th Kara Film Festival here.

After receiving the award Sunday, Nandita said she was glad at the response her film had received and the citation that the jury gave, Thenews.com.pk reports.

The Best Feature Film award was picked up by Nandita Das' "Firaaq" that was screened twice during the 12-day festival. Pakistani telefilm "Burns Road Ki Niilofer" picked up two awards for best screenplay and best female supporting actress.

The Ciepie was awarded to six films, two documentaries - "Superman of Malegaon" (India), and "Kesan Lapsi" (Finland) - two short films with one for Best Animated Film awarded to "Even Pigeons Go to Heaven" (France). The best Short Action Film award went to "Match Factor".

Faiza Ahmed Khan is the director of "Superman of Malegaon", a spoof on superman films.

Rasheed Naz, who played an important role in Pakistani film "Khuda Kay Liye", bagged best actor in a supporting role award, while the special jury award went to Rashid Farooqui for "Ramchand Pakistani".

Indian filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, in his short address at the fest, said that festivals like these help in bridging the gap between the two neighbours.

He said he was at a shop in Karachi when a guy approached him to ask for help with his neurologically disabled brother.

"The guy asked for help in contacting a neurosurgeon in Mumbai, and I immediately punched in the number and let them set up a possible meeting. This was exactly how film festivals help bring the people of different countries together," said Bhatt.

Speaking about his meeting with noted ghazal singer Mehdi Hasan, Bhatt said that neither he nor Hasan would forget the bonds formed during their meeting.

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