Walking the red carpet is a feeling like no other, especially for first timers and people that have only been recently introduced to posing before the media as several cameras flash all at once.
The first sip of fame, the evening of Day 5 of the 54th International Film Festival of India proved to be a proud moment for Goa, when the casts of not just one, but seven Goan films walked the red carpet.
The special section presents premiere and non-premiere films that have been produced by Goan film producers in feature and non-feature categories.
The opening film in the Goan section was ‘Gathan’, directed by Dinesh P Bhonsle and will be followed by the screening of the six other films titled, ‘#MOG’ directed by Nilesh Malkar; ‘Crazy Mogi’ directed by Christ Silva; ‘Maarwat’ directed by Rajaram Gopal Turi; Peace Lily Sand Castle directed by Himanshu Singh; The Witness directed by Troy Ribeiro and last, but not the least, Yashoda directed by Praveen Chougule.
Wearing their red-carpet-best, and flashing the brightest smiles, the cast and crew of the films took turns to share verbal glimpses of what the audience can expect from their upcoming films while optimistically urging people to come and view their films in large numbers.
Speaking to Gomantak Times Digital, Zenelyn Afonso, who will feature in the film #MOG, explained, “I am really excited! This is a very nostalgic moment for me, having been born in Goa.” She went on to share how the only challenge that she faced while filming was switching from the Konkani dialect that she was comfortable speaking in to the Konkani that the character in the film had to speak. The film will also feature the melodious voice of famous, Goan fado singer, Sonia Shirsat.
As for Troy Ribeiro, the director of the film, The Witness, he was happy to share, “My film is a psychological drama. It is about how in life, the truth always makes its way out. The story is about how survival instincts, ethics and karma are intertwined with each other.”
This year, IFFI also saw Goa’s well-known father and son duo, John D’Silva and Christ. Imagine a son directing his father, well, you don’t really have to imagine because their film, ‘Crazy Mogi’ is all set to give us a performance by John D’Silva who is acting in the film that has been directed by Christ.'
“Crazy Mogi is a story about love and the lengths that people go to for love, even if the whole world calls you crazy, you will never stop,” said Christ. A mixture of comedy, romance and drama, John urged everybody, especially his fellow Goans, to watch the film.
So, head to IFFI, the hub of all entertainment and definitely the place to be, this November.