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2 min read

Ae Watan Mere Watan: Uncovering the Life of Gujarati Freedom Fighter Shri Usha Mehta on Screen.

Updated: Dec 4, 2023

21 November 2023, IFFI Capmpus: The producers of 'Ae Watan Mere Watan,' delved into the art of pulling inspiration from history to craft an immersive cinematic experience in a compelling panel discussion at the 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) here in Goa. The panel included the film's director, Kannan Iyer, producer Karan Johar, lead actress Sara Ali Khan, Aparna Purohit, Head of Originals (India & South-East Asia) at Prime Video, and Apoorva Mehta, CEO of Dharma Productions. Rohini Ramnathan moderated the panel discussion, which was sponsored by Prime Video India.


Swati Bhat


Usha Mehta (25 March 1920 – 11 August 2000) was a notable Gandhian and independence activist best known for her involvement in organising radio transmission during the Quit India Movement. Usha Mehta's dedication to justice and role as a model Gandhian make her an inspiring character. In 1998, the Government of India awarded her the Padma Vibhushan, the country's second-highest civilian award, in appreciation of her brave achievements in the fight for independence from colonial control. The film tells the narrative of this amazing woman who was essential in India's war for independence.

Sara Ali Khan, who plays Usha Mehta in the film, stressed the need of focusing light on the often-overlooked independence warriors and their unsung stories of sacrifice and bravery. She emphasised the mental strength needed to fight for what one loves, particularly in the context of India's freedom movement.

Karan Johar, who shared the infectious spirit and enthusiasm of IFFI, hailed 'Ae Watan' as a powerful story inspired by genuine events, centering on the indomitable Usha Mehta. He emphasised the film's depiction of genuine stories, emphasising the challenges experienced by individuals who are deeply committed to their country.

Aparna Purohit emphasised the significance of telling the stories of unsung heroes lost in history, demonstrating the potential of women in mobilising the public. Apoorva Mehta discussed how to recreate 1940s South Bombay for a period picture while keeping realism in every frame.

Closing the event, the filmmakers collectively emphasised that Ae Watan Mere Watan is a genuine creative decision, inviting India to listen to this compelling narrative that brings untold memories of freedom heroes forgotten in the annals of history to the forefron.

The First Look was launched during the opening ceremoney of 54th IFFI.







3 min read

The official selection for the 54th IFFI, Indian Panorama 2023, has been announced.

25 Feature Films and 20 Non-Feature Films to be screened at 54th IFFI ‘Aattam, (Malayalam)’ to be the Opening Feature Film, of Indian Panorama 2023 ‘Andro Dreams (Manipuri)’ to be the Opening Non-Feature Film, Indian Panorama 2023


Swati Bhat

The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has announced the selection of 25 feature films and 20 non-feature films for its main component, Indian Panorama. The shortlisted films will be shown during the 54th IFFI, which will be held in Goa from November 20th to November 28th, 2023.

The National Film Development Corporation, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, organizes the Indian Panorama to select feature and non-feature films of cinematic, thematic, and aesthetic excellence in accordance with the conditions and procedures outlined in the Indian Panorama regulations.

The Indian Panorama is chosen by a jury of notable film personalities from across India, with a total of twelve Jury members for feature films and six Jury members for non-feature films, led by the respective Chairpersons. The prominent Jury panels, each with their own area of expertise, contribute equally to the consensus that leads to the selection of Indian Panorama films in their respective categories.

The Feature Film Jury, comprising twelve members, was headed by acclaimed Film Director, Actor and Producer; Chairperson Shri. Dr. T. S. Nagabharana. The Feature Jury is constituted of the following Members who individually represent various acclaimed films, and film-related professions, while collectively representing the diverse Indian fraternity:

1. Shri. A. Karthik Raaja; Cinematographer

2. Shri. Anjan Bose; Film Director and Producer

3. Smt. Dr. Itirani Samanta; Film Producer and Journalist

4. Shri. K.P Vyasan; Film Producer, Director, and Screenwriter

5. Shri. Kamlesh Mishra; Film Director and Scriptwriter

6. Shri. Kiran Ganti; Film Editor and Director

7. Shri. Milind Lele; Film Director and Producer

8. Shri. Pradip Kurbah; Film Director

9. Ms. Rama Vij; Actor

10. Shri. Romi Meitei; Film Director

11. Shri. Sanjay Jadhav; Film Director and Cinematographer

12. Shri. Vijay Pande; Film Director and Editor

A package of 25 Feature films has been selected to be screened in the Indian Panorama section at the 54th IFFI from a broad spectrum of 408 contemporary Indian feature films. The following package of feature films reflects the vibrancy and diversity of the Indian film industry.


The list of 25 feature films selected in the Indian Panorama 2023 is as follows:


Aaraariraaro

Kannada

Sandeep Kumar V

Aattam

Malayalam

Anand Ekarshi

Ardhangini

Bengali

Kaushik Ganguly


Deep Fridge

Bengali

Arjun Dutta


Dhai Aakhar

Hindi

Praveen Arora

Iratta

Malayalam

Rohit M.G. Krishnan

Kaadhal Enbathu Pothu Udamai

Tamil

Jayaprakash Radhakrishnan


Kaathal

Malayalam

Jeo Baby

Kantara

Kannada

Rishab Shetty

Malikappuram

Malayalam

Vishnu Sasi Shankar

Mandali

Hindi

Rakesh Chaturvedi Om

Mirbeen

Karbi

Mridul Gupta

Neela Nira Sooriyan

Tamil

Samyuktha Vijayan


Nna Thaan Case Kodu

Malayalam,

Ratheesh Balakrishna Poduval

Pookkaalam

Malayalam

Ganeshraj

Rabindra Kabya Rahasya

Bengali

Sayantan Ghosal

Sanaa

Hindi

Sudhanshu Saria


The Vaccine War

Hindi

Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri

Vadh

Hindi

Jaspal Singh Sandhu

Viduthalai Part 1

Tamil

Vetri Maaran


Mainstream Cinema Section


2018-Everyone Is A Hero

Malayalam

Jude Anthany Joseph

Gulmohar

Hindi

Rahul V Chittella

Ponniyin Selvan Part - 2

Tamil

Mani Ratnam


Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai

Hindi

Apoorv Singh Karki

The Kerala Story

Hindi

Sudipto Sen



Non-Feature Films


The Non-Feature Film Jury, comprising six members, was headed by acclaimed documentary film Director Shri. Arvind Sinha. The Non-Feature Jury is constituted of the following Members who individually represent various acclaimed films and film-related professions, while collectively representing the diverse Indian fraternity:


1. Shri. Arvind Pandey; Film Director and Writer

2. Shri. Bobby Wahengbam; Film Director and Producer

3. Shri. Dip Bhuyan; Film Director

4. Shri. Kamlesh Udasi; Film Director and Producer

5. Ms. Paushali Ganguli; Animator, Film Director and Screenwriter

6. Shri. Varun Kurtkoti; Film Director


A package of 20 Non-Feature films has been selected to be screened in the Indian Panorama section at 54th IFFI from a broad spectrum of 239 contemporary Indian non-feature films. The package of non-feature films exemplifies the capacity of emerging and established filmmakers to document, investigate, entertain, and reflect contemporary Indian values.


The list of 20 Non-Feature Films selected in the Indian Panorama 2023 is as follows:


1947: Brexit India

English

Sanjivan Lal


Andro Dreams

Manipuri

Longjam Meena Devi3


Baasan

Hindi

Jitank Singh Gurjar


Back To The Future

English

M.S. Bish


Baruar Xongxar

Assamese

Utpal Borpujari


Behrupiya - The Impersonator

Hindi

Bhasker Vishwanathan


Bhangaar

Marathi

Sumira Roy


Nansei Nilam (Changing Landscape)

Tamil

Pravin Selvam


Chupi Roh

Dogri

Disha Bhardwaj


Giddh (The Scavenger)

Hindi

Manish Saini


Kathabor

Assamese

Keshar Jyoti Das


Lachit (The Warrior)

Assamese

Parthasarathi Mahanta


Last Meet

Manipuri

Waribam Dorendra Singh


Life In Loom

Hindi, Tamil,Assamese, Bengali, English

Edmond Ranson


Mau: The Spirit Dreams Of Cheraw

Mizo

Shilpika Bordoloi


Pradakshina

Marathi

Prathamesh Mahale


Sadabahar

Konkani

Suyash Kamat


Sri Rudram

Malayalam

Ananda Jyothi


The Sea & Seven Villages

Oriya

Himansu Sekhar Khatua


Utsavmurti

Marathi

Abhijeet Arvind Dalvi


The Non-Feature Film Jury’s choice for the opening non-feature film of Indian Panorama, 2023 is ‘Andro Dreams (Manipuri) directed by Ms. Longjam Meena Devi.





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