‘Peepli Live’ Acknowledged As The Best First Feature Film  Aamir Khan |
Even before the release of ‘Peepli Live’, the movie has earned much critical acclaim. The movie produced by Aamir Khan and directed by debutante director Anusha Rizvi is named as Best First Feature Film at the recently concluded 31st Durban International Film Festival.
The 31st International Film Festival was held in Sun City, South Africa from July 22 to August 1. Known for rejecting the films from the Indian Bollywood fraternity, the announcement for ‘Peepli Live’ came as a surprise to everyone.
An elated Aamir adds, “Peepli Live has been very well received at all the major film festivals. It has already been at the Sundance Film Festival and was the first Indian film to be selected for the competition section there. Then we were at the Berlin Film Festival and in the UK; and then at the Durban Film Festival we won the award.”
It seems that South Africa is very lucky for Aamir Khan as his previously enacted movie ‘Lagaan’ was also nominated for Oscars from the same Sun City.
To this Aamir adds, “"South Africa is very lucky for me and I hope that luck extends to Peepli Live as well.”.
"South Africa is very lucky for me and I hope that luck extends to Peepli Live as well," Aamir Khan said from Mumbai today.
Aamir also added, “The recognition at the Durban Film Festival is likely to give a boost to attempts to get a wider audience for the film, although this was likely to be a more difficult task than usual in India. I think the creative team has done a sterling job and now it's my responsibility as the producer to get as large an audience as we can. It is an unusual film for cinemas in India, but I'm trying to put all the strengths that I have behind this film.”
The jury members consisted of Aihara Hiromi of Japan; Christoph Thoke of Germany and South African academic, writer and producer Bhekizizwe Peterson.
The jury added, “The jury comprised producers Aihara Hiromi of Japan; Christoph Thoke of Germany and South African academic, writer and producer Bhekizizwe Peterson."
Aamir adds, "This one is different. It is an award from people who are film people and filmmakers, so it means a lot. The film shows how in society we tend to concentrate and focus all our energies and all our wealth and resources towards the cities.”
He continues, “This effectively leans towards people who are more privileged and in the process we leave out those who are less privileged, in rural areas and village.”
The movie will have a worldwide release on August 13 and this very small budget film is assumed to do wonders.
