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Indian Express
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Express Film Club screens Jaaved Jaaferi's Inn Galiyon Mein, director talks about how censor board refused to pass it
This Monday, the Express Film Club by SCREEN continued its monthly tradition of spotlighting lesser-known but cinematically profound films with a screening of Inn Galiyon Mein, a light-hearted romantic comedy directed by Avinash Das. The screening took place at the India Habitat Centre, Delhi. The film features a huge ensemble a cast led by Jaaved Jaaferi, Vivaan Shah, Avantika Dasani (in her film debut), Sushant Singh, Istiyak Khan, Suniel Shetty, Raveena Tandon, and Veenay Bhasskar. The evening kicked off with noted film critic Shubhra Gupta introducing the film. The screening was followed by a lively Q&A session attended by the filmmaker himself, Avinash Das. After the screening, Gupta praised the film for its heartfelt storytelling and emotionally resonant tone. She singled out performances by Vivaan Shah and Avantika Dasani, noting their nuanced portrayals. Speaking about Jaaved Jaaferi, she said, 'Javed Jafferi is one of the most underrated actors in the industry and here his skills are deployed to full potential.' Describing the essence of the film, she added poignantly, 'The film spreads love and if it's so easy to spread hate then why can't we do that with love?' Also Read | Express Film Club by SCREEN hosts screening of Rima Das's Village Rockstars 2; audience calls it 'life-like' and deeply relevant During his interaction with the audience, director Avinash Das shared insights into his storytelling process. He said he gravitates toward narratives he can personally connect with and strives to portray them with utmost honesty on screen. Reflecting on the film's journey, he revealed the difficulties faced during the certification process. According to Das, the censor board initially denied certification, pushing the team to appeal to the Revising Committee, which suggested twenty cuts. Eventually, the filmmakers had to approach the court, which advised them to 'drop two lines and asked them to release.' The audience responded with enthusiasm and emotion. Many viewers expressed deep appreciation for the film, calling it both entertaining and touching. One audience member went as far as to say, 'It's one of the greatest films I have seen in my life.'
Indian Express
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Express Film Club by SCREEN hosts screening of Rima Das's Village Rockstars 2; audience calls it ‘life-like' and deeply relevant
National Award-winning filmmaker Rima Das, known for carving a distinct space in Indian indie cinema with films like Village Rockstars, Bulbul Can Sing and Tora's Husband, continues to shine on the global festival circuit with her latest — Village Rockstars 2. The sequel to her acclaimed 2017 film was screened this week at Express Film Club by SCREEN, where the event was held at India Habitat Centre, Delhi. The evening began with film critic Shubhra Gupta introducing the film to the audience. Gupta lauded Rima Das as a true auteur — someone who writes, directs, shoots, edits, and even handles production design herself. 'She's practically a one-woman crew,' Gupta said, adding that the sequel is not just a coming-of-age tale, but also an ethnographic exploration of the land and community Rima belongs to. Following the screening, Gupta moderated a discussion with the audience, many of whom were visibly moved. One viewer, impressed by the film's striking visual language, asked about the near-invisible camera presence in the narrative. 'That's the magic of Rima's cinema,' Gupta responded. 'Her framing is so organic that you forget you're watching a constructed film.' The crowd included several Assamese viewers who praised the film for its deeply rooted and authentic portrayal of Assam. 'It felt like a painting, a reflection of our home,' said one audience member. Another viewer appreciated how the film tackled pressing issues like illegal land acquisition and deforestation, effortlessly weaving them into the story. The audience included several Assamese viewers who lauded the film for its authentic and heartfelt portrayal of their homeland. Village Rockstars 2 picks up where the original left off. Dhunu, the spirited protagonist from the first film, is now an adolescent facing a harsher world — her land under threat from a corrupt broker, her mother ailing, and her own dreams of music still flickering amid mounting challenges. The film, shot in Rima's signature intimate style, continues to explore themes of resilience, community, and identity. While the Indian release date for the film is yet to be announced, the Delhi audience was grateful for the early screening. Several attendees praised Express Film Club for consistently championing meaningful cinema that resonates with contemporary issues.
