Panaji:
West is West, the much awaited sequel to the cult comedy East is East, will kick off the 41st edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2010 which begins here on November 22.
Director of the film festival, S M Khan, told PTI that the movie will be the first screening of the extravaganza which will be inaugurated by chief guest, Indian film legend Yash Chopra, and actor Ajay Devgn.
The cross-cultural comedy starring Om Puri, Aqib Khan, Linda Bassett, Jimi Mistry and Illa Arun, picks up where East is East ends. The 1999 film had vividly charted the conflicts of a mixed-race Pakistani-English family and went on to win a BAFTA for Outstanding British film.
West is West directed by Andy de Emmony premiered at the London Film Festival last month and sees the return of Bollywood veteran Puri as the charismatic George Khan, determined to instill some discipline and cultural identity into his son Sajid, played by newcomer Aqib Khan.
The film sees Sajid, the youngest son played by Aqib Khan, introduced to the father's first family in Pakistan.
This year at IIFI, films from Canada, US and otherEuropean countries are vying for the top awards as opposed to earlier when the competition section was open only to films from Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Khan said that the competition would be tough now and more and better films will be screened at the festival.
Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, Goa Governor Dr S S Sidhu and Chief Minister Digamber Kamat will also be present as guests at the inauguration.
IFFI 2010 is expected to be a star-studded event with Madhuri Dixit, Ila Arun, Subhash Ghai, Manisha Koirala, Reema Sen, Raima Sen, Manoj Bajpai confirming their presence.
Slumdog Millionaire star Freida Pinto is also expected to be present during the 10-day long event.
From South India, big names like Mani Ratnam, veteran film producer Dr D Rama Naidu and Revathy Menon are among those who will attend various events during the festival.
Director of the film festival, S M Khan, told PTI that the movie will be the first screening of the extravaganza which will be inaugurated by chief guest, Indian film legend Yash Chopra, and actor Ajay Devgn.
The cross-cultural comedy starring Om Puri, Aqib Khan, Linda Bassett, Jimi Mistry and Illa Arun, picks up where East is East ends. The 1999 film had vividly charted the conflicts of a mixed-race Pakistani-English family and went on to win a BAFTA for Outstanding British film.
West is West directed by Andy de Emmony premiered at the London Film Festival last month and sees the return of Bollywood veteran Puri as the charismatic George Khan, determined to instill some discipline and cultural identity into his son Sajid, played by newcomer Aqib Khan.
The film sees Sajid, the youngest son played by Aqib Khan, introduced to the father's first family in Pakistan.
This year at IIFI, films from Canada, US and otherEuropean countries are vying for the top awards as opposed to earlier when the competition section was open only to films from Asia, Africa and Latin America.
Khan said that the competition would be tough now and more and better films will be screened at the festival.
Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, Goa Governor Dr S S Sidhu and Chief Minister Digamber Kamat will also be present as guests at the inauguration.
IFFI 2010 is expected to be a star-studded event with Madhuri Dixit, Ila Arun, Subhash Ghai, Manisha Koirala, Reema Sen, Raima Sen, Manoj Bajpai confirming their presence.
Slumdog Millionaire star Freida Pinto is also expected to be present during the 10-day long event.
From South India, big names like Mani Ratnam, veteran film producer Dr D Rama Naidu and Revathy Menon are among those who will attend various events during the festival.
