Top honour for 'Maine Gandhi Ko...' at Mumbai fest

Mumbai, April 1 (IANS) It might not have got the cash registers jingling in India. But with Jahnu Barua's "Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara" winning an award here, the film has got its share of glory.

The FIPRESCI award at the film festival was given at the International Film Festival of Mumbai organised by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Images (MAMI).

Says Anupam Kher who stars in the movie and also produced it: "I couldn't be at the festival to collect the award, since I'm shooting in Nainital for Sooraj Barjatya's 'Vivah'. But my director, Jahnu Barua, was there. It's a very prestigious award since it's the only award given by the international press.

"It's fantastic that the film is being recognised internationally. Even nationally we made our money back. It was well marketed by Yashraj Films.

"It's now been sold to Sony Entertainment for a handsome sum. It will be telecast April 8. I think the film got its share of glory."

Adds the film's leading lady Urmila Matondkar, "It's wonderful that the film is being so much appreciated abroad, though not at home. May be the standards for our cinema have gone up so high that 'Maine Gandhi...' was just not good enough for our audience.

"Abroad, I can vouch for the audiences' passionate participation. The MAMI award is a cherry on the topping. It was very daring for Anupamji to produce the kind of cinema that other big producers only keep talking about."

Urmila admits she wishes the film had fared better in India.

"But the intention was never to make a blockbuster. One does such films because one wants to. Nor did I do it for critical acclaim. The recognition was just the bonus. Even cynical journalists loved 'Maine Gandhi...' It's heartening to see that certain sections haven't become desensitised to issues such as old age. Yes, it could've performed better at the Indian box office. But never mind."

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Maine Gandhi Ko Nahi Mara