From About Love to Bombay Rose, 10 Films that made it to the prestigious India Gold competition at the Jio MAMI 21st Mumbai Film Festival

By Mr. Moon

on September 13, 2019

India’s biggest film festival for cinematic disruption and discovery has just announced its line-up for its prestigious India Gold section – the exclusive competition category for the latest Indian films from across the country. The 10 films this year are an exciting celebration of India’s cultural diversity. This includes languages like Pahari, Maithili, Assamese, Nepali, Hindustani, and Bengali. The 21st edition of the festival also marks the return of a host of creators from the Jio MAMI with Star family. Bhaskar Hazarika, whose film The River of Fables (Kothanodi) also screened at the festival in 2015 is back with his new film, Ravening (Aamis) which will have its Asia Premiere at the section (the film had its World Premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year). Archana Atul Phadke’s Marathi documentary, About Love will be premiering this year (after winning the best film award for her short film, Sagar Setu in Dimensions Mumbai, 2009) along with Prateek Vats' Eeb Allay Ooo! (A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings premiered at Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star, 2017).

Jio MAMI with Star will world premiere three films out of the 10 in competition - Pushpendra Singh’s Pearl of the Desert (Maru ro Moti), Achal Mishra’s Gamak Ghar and Saurav Rai’s Invitation (Nimtoh) along with 6 India premieres - Gitanjali Rao’s Bombay Rose and Kislay’s Just Liked That (Aise Hi) among others.

Archana Atul Phadke’s short film Uski Baarish was showcased at TIFF Kids International Film Festival, Seattle International Film Festival among 34 other reputed film festivals. Saurav Rai’s short film, Gudh was screened at the Cannes Film Festival in the Cinéfondation selection. Gitanjali Rao’s Bombay Rose just world premiered at Venice Film Festival (Critics’ Week) and has screened at Toronto International Film Festival. The India Gold selection, like each year, has some of the most dynamic and versatile directors who have won accolades for their exceptional storytelling.

Last year, Jio MAMI with Star premiered some great titles like Ridham Janve’s The Gold-Laden Sheep and The Sacred Mountain, Aadish Keluskar’s Jaoon Kahan Bata Ae Dil, Vinit Chandrasekharan’s Buddha, Ivan Ayr’s Soni and Dominic Sangma’s MA•AMA.

Speaking about the line-up this year, Smriti Kiran, Artistic Director, MAMI said, “India Gold is at the heart of our selection. We are an International film festival but bringing the best Indian narratives to the world and to India is at the core of our mission. Festivals from across the world have now begun to look at us as the gateway to credible Indian cinema and we take that responsibility very seriously. I am happy we are able to take the narrative forward for our storytellers a notch higher every year.”

Director of About Love, Archana Atul Phadke commented, “It was at Dimensions Mumbai 2009, where my first short film, Sagar Setu had played and won the best film award. It was the same year that my producer, editor and best friend’s film, Udaan won the Jury award. Year and again, we would apply to the festival and come back with our films. Four years after our last film Placebo, we are very excited to bring the story of home, with About Love, to my hometown at MAMI 2019".

Achal Mishra, Director, Gamak Ghar said, “It feels unreal. I have been attending MAMI for the last three years. Sitting there in the dark, watching and learning from some of the best films from around the world, I couldn’t have imagined my own film playing on the big screen to such an avid audience. It’s an honour to be invited to premiere my debut film in the India Gold section!”

The India Gold films will be watched by a Jury of esteemed film personalities from around the world. The Jio MAMI 21st Mumbai Film Festival with Star will take place from the October 17 - 24, 2019.

INDIA GOLD NOMINATIONS

1) About Love | India | 2019 |

Cast: Atul Phadke, Maneesha Phadke, Rohan Phadke, Sagarika Phadke, Lali Phadke, Madhav Phadke, Neela Phadke, Sushila Bai, Gurbani Bagga