The Indian Cinema Treasure | Films to watch out for at Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2016

The 18th edition of Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival with Star, has 170+ films selected from all over the world. While we discussed our international favourites in a special series, we have also got several Indian films taking centre stage. This year, they have been distributed largely into three categories: India Gold, India Story and Discovering India. Also, not to forget, the 'Marathi Talkies' section, which also includes some remarkable films.

Like last year, this year too, an Indian Film - Konkana Sen Sharma’s directorial debut ‘A Death in the Gunj’ opens the festival at Royal Opera House in Mumbai. With Indian Films are all set to entertain the audiences at MAMI, we help you pick some of the best on the list. Don’t miss out on our Indian films, that have been made with a lot of hard word, determination and dedication, by our desi filmmakers.

Lipstick Under My Burkha (India Gold)

Director: Alankrita Shrivastava

The film weaves together life of one burqa-clad college girl, a young beautician, a mother of three and a 55-year-old widow who rediscovers her sexuality.  The film is produced by Prakash Jha, while his assistant director Alankrita Shrivastava wears the director’s cap in this one. The film is packed with a renowned cast and is also going to premiere at the 29^th Tokyo International Film Festival 2016.

Autohead (India Gold)
Director: Rohit Mittal

The Autohead trailer has already driven most of the people insane and now, the film is all set to create some serious buzz at MAMI. This edgy documentary revolves around a film crew following a crazy rickshaw driver’s increasingly destructive adventures, across the suburbs of Mumbai. The film is directed, written by Rohit Mittal, who also stars in the film.  Autohead was part of Hong Kong International Film Festival (the only Indian film selected there) and Sitges Film Festival in Spain. 

Loev (India Gold)
Director: Sudhanshu Saria

LOEV is about a weekend between friends, where chances are missed, truths evaded and among all the stumbles, it shows how love unexpectedly prevails. Loev has travelled to more than 35 film festivals, including South By Southwest, BFI, Tallinn Black Nights (World Premiere), Tel Aviv International Film Festival (Audience Prize), Jeonju International Film Festival, Frameline among others. Actor Arfi Lamba, who was seen in films like Fukrey, has produced the film under his banner - Bombay Berlin film productions. The banner also has another film, The Road to Mandalay, that will be screened at the festival this year.

An Insignificant Man (Discovering India)
Directors: Khushboo Ranka, Vinay Shukla

This 100-minute film has been distilled from over 400 hours of behind-the-scene footage, shot over a course of two years, with a fly-on-the-wall approach. The film follows now Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his Aam Aadmi (Common Man’s) Party – an insurgent new political party, as they wield basic public issues like water, electricity, and graft against the country’s oldest and most powerful two political establishments. The film had its World premiere at Toronto International Film Festival and has been screened at BFI London Film Festival, Warsaw International Film Festival, Busan International Film Festival and finally, will now have it's India Premiere at MAMI. 

The Cinema Travellers (India Gold)
Directors: Shirley Abraham, Amit Madheshiya

The only Indian feature-film to be selected at Cannes earlier this year is an enthralling portrait of the fast-fading journey of the ‘Traveling Cinemas’ of India. A benevolent showman, a shrewd exhibitor and a maverick projector mechanic bear a beautiful burden - to keep the last traveling cinemas of the world running.  The film has also been screened at Sydney Film Festival - Australian Premiere, Toronto International Film Festival - North American Premiere, New York Film Festival - US Premiere, Busan International Film Festival - Asian Premiere. 

Marathi Talkies: The Marathi Talkies section is screening last year’s hit compilation Bioscope, Rajesh Mapuskar’s family comedy Ventilator, Sachin Kundalkar’s joint-family generational drama Rajwade and Sons and Punarvasu Naik’s satirical thriller Vakratunda Mahakaaya.

Just a few hours to go, before cinephiles rush from one move hall to another, in order to witness some pure cinematic bliss. For those of you who still haven't registered, go get it done right away. You don't wanna miss these amazing films for anything.

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