National

`Globalising' Indian cinema

By S.R. Ashok Kumar

KUALA LUMPUR APRIL 5. Indian film stars are here in town for the third annual International Film Academy (IIFA) awards to be held at Genting Highlands Resorts on Saturday.

There are 13 popular and 14 technical awards. The IIFA awards were launched two years ago at the Millennium Dome in London to showcase the world's largest film industry. The awards presentation will be a breath-taking event and on a par with the best.

Amitabh Bachchan, chief patron, IIFA, said that for globalising Indian cinema, the awards were a step in the right direction. "By going to new markets each year, we are able to showcase our talent and honour our best performances. At the same time, they help to build bridge between India and the world."

The IIFA advisory board members are Amitabh Bachchan, his wife Jaya Bachchan, Yash Johar, Pahlaj Nihlani, Vinod Khanna, J.P. Dutta, Ramesh Sippy and David Dawan.

The IIFA began the trend of premiering an eagerly awaited Hindi film. Last year, the IIFA world premiere was `Lagaan'. This year, it was `Aankhen' and the premiere was held at the Genting International show room here today. The cast includes Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Arjun Rampal, Bipasha Basu and Sushmita Sen. The director is Vipul Shah. The film is a mixture of adventure and emotion, with a love story being the undercurrent.

Wiz Sabbas Joseph, director, Wizcraft International Entertainment — event managers for the IIFA — said, "our focus is on creating a powerful identification and platform for Indian cinema lovers as well as developing business opportunities and encouraging a cross over of cultures between Indian and world cinema''. On Thursday, the IIFA music release of the film

`Kaante' was held and on Saturday, the Electrolux Kelvinator IIFA award winning films, artists and technicians will be chosen from the nominations.

For the best picture award there are five main nominations. They are `Chandini Bar', `Dil Chahta Hai', `Gadar — Ek Prem Katha', `Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham' and ''Lagaan''.

For the best actor in a leading role Aamir Khan has been nominated for two films. They are `Dil Chahta Hai' and `Lagaan'. Others in the category are Amitabh Bachchan, (`AKS — The Reflection'), Shah Rukh Khan (`Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham'), and Sunny Deol (`Gadar — Ek Prem Katha').

For the best actress in a leading role, Amisha Patel has been nominated for `Gadar-Ek Prem Katha'. Gracy Singh (`Lagaan'), Kajol (`Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham'), Preity Zinta (`Dil Chahta Hai') and Tabu (`Chandini Bar') are the other contenders.

Those in the fray for the best actor in a supporting role award are Akshay Khanna for `Dil Chahta Hai', Amitabh Bachchan (`Kabi Khushi Kabhi Gham'), Hrithik Roshan (`Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham'), Kulbhushan Kharbanda (`Lagaan') and Saif Ali Khan (`Dil Chahta Hai').

The main nomination for the best actress in a supporting role category is Jaya Bachchan, for `Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham'. Others in the race are Bipasha Basu (`Ajnabee'), Kareena Kapoor (`Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham'),

Madhuri Dixit (`Lajja') and Rekha (`Lajja').

Govinda in `Jodi No.1' is in the list for the best performance in a comic role. Others in the fray are Ehsaan Nair (`Monsoon Wedding'), Johnny Lever (`Ajnabee') and (`Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham'), Rajesh Vivek (`Lagaan') and Vivek Shauq (`Gadar — EK Prem Katha').

The best performance in a negative role has Akshay Kumar (`Ajnabee'), Amrish Puri (`Gadar — Ek Prem Katha'), Manoj Bajpai (`AKS — The Reflection'), Paul Blackthorne (`Lagaan'), Suhas Paliskar (`Chandini Bar') in the list. For the best music direction it is A.R. Rahman, who has been nominated for `Laagan' and `Zubeida', Sandesh Shandilya, Jatin-Lalit, Aadesh Shrivastav (`Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham'), Shanker, Eshaan, Loy (`Dil Chata Hai'), Uttam Singh (`Gadar — Ek Prem Katha').

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