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Where is Amole Gupte?

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Where is Amole Gupte?, 18th edition of International Children’s Film Festival India. The 18th edition of International Children’s Film Festival India (ICFFI) had a glittering start at Lalitha Kala Thoranam. The performances on the inaugural day were scintillating.

Conspiracy to change ICFFI venue

The 18th edition of International Children’s Film Festival India (ICFFI) had a glittering start at Lalitha Kala Thoranam. The performances on the inaugural day were scintillating. Union minister for information broadcast Manish Tewari, Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy, Minister for cinematography DK Aruna, top bureaucrats, film personalities have taken part in the event. Yet, something was amiss...

Day two of the film festival was events galore, with films being screened at various venues all over the city. Child delegates not only from pan India but even from far corners of the world took part in the event. Interviews, workshops, interactions, cultural programme, you name it, it was there. Yet, something was amiss...

Day three saw special screening for spastic and cerebral palsy children and their joy knew no bounds. There were screenings, interviews galore. But something was amiss... Amole Gupte is the chairman of Children’s Film Society of India (CFSI). This acclaimed actor, writer and director made strong contribution to children’s film fest with his films, ‘Taare Zameen Par’ and ‘Stanley Ka Dabba’, but his dubious absence at CFSI’s biggest biannual event of ICCFI is raising many a eyebrow amidst speculations.

There might be a showdown coming; a section in CFSI is trying to change the venue while the government is pulling all the stops so that the venue stays put

It all started with former chairperson Nandita Das’ controversial remarks in the previous edition of the film fest that there are no proper facilities in Hyderabad to hold the film fest and change the venue to Kolkata. Though most Hyderabadis resented and flayed the remark, two years later those remarks are gaining serious weight. Not only Amole Gupte’s absence, but there are many telltale signs that there is a section that is trying to change the venue.

It is a usual practise at most film festivals that catalogue and synopsis of the films are printed as a book and are distributed at the main venue so that people can pick out the films they want to watch. But, neither on the inaugural day nor on the second day the book was available. Finally on day three, the book showed its face to public. The preparations for the film fest began six months ago, but the organisers couldn’t find time to get the synopsis of the films that will be screened. The website isn’t updated until the day two of film fest.

On the other hand in the inaugural speech, Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy announced land for construction of film festival complex. And minister of cinematography DK Aruna spoke about arrangements and hospitality. The government is making sure that the venue stays put and have put their best foot forward in making arrangements so that delegates will have a pleasurable experience. On Saturday, chairman of the organising committee and chief secretary PK Mohanty visited the main venue Prasad’s IMAX and inspected the facilities. Speaking to newsmen over there he promised making ICFFI a memorable experience.

It was in 1995, under the aegis of the then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Nara Chandrababu Naidu that the city of Hyderabad was made the permanent venue for the bi-annual festival following the huge success that year. It was a welcome decision and plans were afloat to set up a permanent spot for holding the festival. With every festival the number of films increased and the expectations doubled. However, the FDC which is the nodal agency to look after the logistics has been goofing up time and again.

With a section of CFSI trying to change the venue and the government announcing incentives to keep the venue here, things are poised for an interesting climax.

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Where is Amole Gupte?

Where is Amole Gupte?, 18th edition of International Children’s Film Festival India. The 18th edition of International Children’s Film Festival India (ICFFI) had a glittering start at Lalitha Kala Thoranam. The performances on the inaugural day were scintillating.

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