The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles is in full swing!

It’s been great fun to attend all the Bollywood-infused events and mingle with some of the greatest names in the Hindi film industry and… it’s not over yet. The festival continues through Sunday, April 27th. The unexpected cancellation of one gala event on Friday actually made it possible for those attending the festival to view a priceless sneak preview showing of the new Tarsem film “The Fall”, a non-Bollywood production, which is scheduled for release in the US on May 9th. A visually stunning work, with a magical, fairy tale plot to boot, I confess I would not have elected to see this film in the theaters and would have truly missed out on a great thing. Shot in technicolor splendor on location all over the world, the film has been rightfully called “Tarsem Singh’s love letter to cinema”.

During the festival, the insomniacs in the audience have been treated to “Bollywood By Night” which are late showings of some of the best Hindi film releases of this past year. The Arclight Cinema complex has a deliciously convenient bar located right outside the screening room and for this “Over 21 Only” series, drinks are allowed inside along with the more traditional movie fare popcorn. The gangster feature “Johhny Gaddar” - starring hot newcomer Neil Nitin Mukesh - was shown on Friday, but my personal delight was viewing Sudhir Mishra’s “Khoya Khoya Chand” (which is losely translated as “Lost Moon”) on the extra large screen of the Arclight, followed by a Q & A with the charismatic director. Writer/director Sudhir Mishra always does justice to strong female characters in his films and personal favorites include films “Chameli”, “Calcutta Mail” and “Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi”. But “Khoya Khoya Chand” is also lavishly stunning, in its visually accurate depiction of the Hindi film industry of the 1950s. Soha Ali Khan, Shiney Ahuja and Rajat Kapoor sparkle, along with the perfectly cast supporting characters. If you have not seen “Khoya Khoya Chand” I suggest renting it on DVD, ASAP.

So, with slightly more than 36 hours left of this event, help to celebrate “Bollywood in Hollywood” and get tickets to some of the remaining screenings of highly anticipated films like the Liz Mermin documentary “Shot in Bombay” and the final night gala showing of “Mumbai Cutting: A City Unfolds”, directed by 11 of the hottest directors in Indian cinema today, including Mishra and Anurag Kashyap of “No Smoking” fame. Put on those sparkly earrings, slip into your most glamorous shoes and dressiest jeans and meet me at the movies!

Photos of “The Fall” and “Khoya Khoya Chand” courtesy of the IFFLA

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