The Indian Panorama Film Festival, which was inaugurated here on Monday evening, will pay special homage to late veteran actor Om Puri by screening five of his iconic films.
“Ardh Satya”, “Mirch Masala”, “Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro”, “Sadgati” and “Dharavi” are among the titles which will be screened every day at 6 p.m. from January 17-21 as part of the festival.
This is being done to commemorate the journey of his life as an actor.
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore inaugurated the festival, and paid a tribute to Om Puri who died in Mumbai on January 6.
Rathore narrated how when he spoke to a filmmaker about the actor, he was told that even when Om Puri had started out, he was very committed.
“This filmmaker told me that he didn’t eat food to play the role of a beggar for a small project — he was so committed. It is a life lesson for everyone that commitment to one’s work is very important,” Rathore said.
He also urged the public to watch the movies being shown at the gala, which is a public screening of all the films which were part of the 47th International Film Festival of India’s Indian Panorama category.
The film fest started on Monday and will conclude on January 27.
Movie buffs can watch as many as 26 feature films and 21 non-feature titles at the fest, which is being held at the Siri Fort Auditorium II here and is organised by the Directorate of Film Festivals.
The festival opened with Manipuri documentary film “Ima Sabitri”, directed by Bobo Khuraijam and Hindi feature film “Pinky Beauty Parlour”, directed by Akshay Singh.
During the festival, some of the popular film titles to be played will include “Sairat”, “Sultan“, “Natsamrat”, “Bajirao Mastani”, “Airlift” and “Baahubali”.
The entry to the screenings is free and on first come first serve basis.
