India to participate in China's film festival

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services) 

As the clouds of suspicion were hovering that how Chinese moviegoers would respond because of the strained relationship, following stand-off of security forces in Ladakh, India has opted to take part in the Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) starting on July 25. 

Eight Indian movies including the two Bollywood Hindi hits ‘Article 15’ and ‘Section 375’ are due to be screened at the SIFF. At least four of the movies, including two directed by acclaimed directors Gautam Ghosh and Prakash Jha, will be part of the India Film Week during the SIFF. 

The Chinese film critics and historians have welcomed the move even when the political and diplomatic relationships were far from normal.

Interestingly, the Chinese remake of Indian thriller ‘Drishyam’ having been been promoted by Chinese media as ‘Sheep without a Shepherd’ was leading the current box office in the country. 

The movie was reported to have grossed three million Yuan ($430,095) since Chinese mainland theatres reopened on July 20, despite competition from Hollywood hits such as Coco and China’s Wolf Warrior 2.