Tonight marks the return of an Ashutosh Gowariker film to the Piazza Grande as Mohenjo Daro is being screened here as the closing film of the 69th Locarno Film Festival. The Piazza Grande is a huge open air theatre for which films selected are works intended for mainstream audiences but made by genuine auteur filmmakers.

Not only is this a huge honor, especially since the selection committee on their initial viewing had loved the film, it has also created a sense of deja vu for Ashutosh. Exactly 15 years ago, his Lagaan was screened at the same festival, at the same venue. In the case of Lagaan, the Locarno Film Festival screening was the first international milestone the film achieved, eventually culminating with its nomination for an Oscar Award in the foreign film category, the last time an Indian film reached the final 5 nominations.

As Ashutosh Gowariker spent the day attending press conferences and undertaking other media interactions, the excitement was palpable as the organizers and attendees alike are awaiting the screening which expects to see the biggest turnout of the entire festival. Kabir Bedi answered the media in fluent Italian and his popularity with the Italian audiences and media is truly amazing.


Considering that few filmmakers are privileged to see their film showcased on this massive screen even once in their career, Ashutosh is truly grateful to have been given this rare opportunity a second time, `I am so excited to be here with Mohenjo Daro and experiencing it being screened as the Closing Film at the Piazza Grande! When Lagaan was screened at the same Piazza, on a giant screen, one of the biggest in the world, it was an out-of-the-world experience to see an audience of 8000 plus of different nationalities, applaud the film. Tonight will be a grand night and looking out at such a massive audience and addressing them is something that I am yet to fathom in spite of having experienced it before.`

For producer Sunita Gowariker, the festival also holds a special meaning, `When Ashutosh and I traveled with Lagaan to Locarno, it was so overwhelming, and a bit daunting to see 8000 people turn up at the Piazza for the screening and then so many wanting to interact with us about the film. The Locarno Film Festival holds such a special place in my heart and as a producer I could not have asked for a better international start for the film.`