Indian-origin American-Belgian actor Rumana Molla is set to make her directorial debut with the film ‘Minimum’, starring veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah. The film will open this year’s UK Asian Film Festival (UKAFF) with a world premiere on May 2 in London.
Described as a poignant immigrant tale, ‘Minimum’ is set in Belgium within the context of an Indian family and features a stellar cast including Molla herself, along with Namit Das, Saba Azad, and Geetanjali Kulkarni. The annual festival will showcase a variety of films and pay tribute to well-known Indian artists such as Shabana Azmi, running across London, Leicester, Oxford, and Glasgow until May 12.
Dr. Pushpinder Chowdhry, the Founder and Director of UKAFF, expressed excitement about this year’s theme of celebrating feminism, diversity, and empowering emerging British Asian talents. The festival aims to provide aspiring filmmakers with exclusive insights and skills workshops led by industry experts to craft diverse narratives and boost self-confidence.
The festival’s Creative Director, Samir Bhamra, highlighted the importance of this year’s theme ‘Climate of Change’ in reflecting a shift towards embracing transformative experiences. The event will feature a Closing Gala at the Kiln Theatre in London, where playback singer Kavita Krishnamurthy and actress Karisma Kapoor will be honored for their contributions to the artistic scene and Hindi cinema.
Additionally, the festival will celebrate fashion sustainability with designer Rina Dhaka and pay tribute to the legendary Indian singer Mohammed Rafi. The event will also commemorate the 50-year career of Shabana Azmi and showcase the UK premiere of Anshuman Jha’s directorial debut, ‘Lord Curzon Ki Haveli’, a dark comedy thriller.
Overall, the UK Asian Film Festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of Indian cinema, talent, and culture, offering a platform for diverse voices and perspectives to be heard and appreciated.