Waheeda Rehman Set to Grace the Inaugural Indian Film Festival of New Zealand with Teesri Kasam Opening and Pakeezah Closing the Fest
New Zealand is set to celebrate its vibrant Indian community with the inaugural Indian Film Festival of New Zealand (TIFFNZ). This exciting event will take place over three days and across three cities, featuring a diverse lineup of 30 film screenings, industry panels, Q&A sessions, networking opportunities, and an awards evening. The festival aims to showcase a rich tapestry of storytelling, presenting 10 feature films, 16 short films, and 4 special screenings in 11 different languages, including Hindi, Tamil, and Bengali.
A Celebration of Indian Cinema
One of the festival’s highlights is its focus on films restored by the Film Heritage Foundation and the National Film Archive of India (NFAI-NFDC). The opening film, “Teesri Kasam,” features legendary actress Waheeda Rehman alongside Raj Kapoor. This classic has recently undergone restoration, and Rehman will grace the opening night screening on October 22, marking a significant moment as the festival honors her contributions to Indian cinema.
Waheeda Rehman expressed her excitement, stating, “Cinema has always had the power to bring people and cultures closer. I am delighted to see TIFFNZ celebrating the richness and diversity of Indian cinema in New Zealand. Teesri Kasam is a film very close to my heart, and I am especially pleased that it will open the festival, allowing a new generation of audiences to discover its timeless story and poetry.”
Closing with a Classic
Festival director Petrina D’Rozario shared insights about the closing film, “Pakeezah,” which has also been restored by the Film Heritage Foundation. She noted, “Our festival would be the second festival in the world to have screened the film after it’s been restored. We are excited to be one of the first audiences to watch this iconic film from 1972. Many of whom may have never seen these films before.”
D’Rozario emphasized the festival’s mission, saying, “TIFFNZ is more than a celebration of Indian cinema; it’s a bridge between India and NZ! Through the festival, we want the NZ audience to discover India, and our extraordinary stories to travel to the furthest part of the world. At its heart, TIFFNZ is about bringing people, stories, cultures, languages together through cinema.”
A Platform for Cultural Exchange
The Indian Film Festival of New Zealand aims to be an annual event that fosters collaboration between the screen industries of New Zealand and India. It seeks to create more opportunities for cultural exchange and discussions that span geographies. As the festival approaches, organizers will soon announce the list of directors, actors, and films that will be featured, promising an enriching experience for attendees.
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