Welcome to Sajjanpur to vie at London film fest

Welcome to Sajjanpur to vie at London film fest
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 10:06 IST
By Santa Banta News Network
Veteran director Shyam Benegal's latest offering "Welcome to Sajjanpur" is set to be screened at the forthcoming London Film Festival (LFF), a UTV official said.

The movie will be screened in the competition section on World Cinema at the fortnight-long festival starting Oct 15, he added. A UTV Spotboy presentation, the LFF screening will also mark the movie's Britain and European premiere. The film is being released in India Sep 19.

A comedy, "Welcome to Sajjanpur" is a satirical take on the reality of the contemporary rural India, especially on the government's much-vaunted literacy drive. Shreyal Talpade, Ravi Kishen, Divya Dutta and Amrita Rao essay the key roles in the movie.

Benegal, who is better known for his thought-provoking serious movies, takes a detour and tells a light-hearted delightful tale in the movie. He recently said he was inspired to make the movie by a unit hand, a light man of his own production unit.

"Some time back the light man, who had never gone to school, got married to a girl who has some education. Since she lives in a village in UP and he in Mumbai, he would ask others to write letters on his behalf to his wife. That inspired me to weave a story around his new-found life, " Benegal said.

Commenting on the movie, UTV Spotboy's Chief Operating Officer Vikas Bahl said: "It is the master director's story-telling which is the highlight of the venture. It is at once poignant and hilarious."

Some other Indian movies which are expected to make a mark in the festival include Nadita Das' "Firaaq", Santosh Sivan's "Tahaan", Ketan Mehta's "Colours of Passion" and Shashank Ghosh's "Quick Gun Murgan".
Marvel's Unexpected Team-up is here! Thunderbolts Tickets open now!

This isn’t just another chapter; it’s the beginning of a whole new era. With fresh alliances, unforeseen twists, and

Saturday, April 26, 2025
Kull - The Legacy Of The Raisingghs Trailer: One Family, One Curse, Too Many Secrets!

This summer, enter a realm where loyalty is fragile, secrets simmer beneath the surface, and blood

Saturday, April 26, 2025
Wamiqa Gabbi Radiates Emotion Ahead of 'Bhool Chuk Maaf' Release!

As anticipation builds for the release of Bhool Chuk Maaf, actress Wamiqa Gabbi has captured hearts on social

Saturday, April 26, 2025
Veer Pahariya Melts Hearts with Adorable Gym Session Featuring His Pet Dog!

Bollywood’s newest action sensation, Veer Pahariya, recently gave fans a heartwarming glimpse into his

Saturday, April 26, 2025
Saif Ali Khan says he hated himself on the first day of shooting Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins in IMDb exclusive!

Jewel Thief- The Heist Begins, the action heist thriller starring Saif Ali Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, Kunal Kapoor

Saturday, April 26, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT