Best films this side of Mumbai

Seventeen films, nine premieres, Bollywood blockbusters and regional films all under one roof, in one festival. Edward Rooney previews one of the most exotic film festivals on the Auckland calendar.
The Indian Film Festival 2011 - Bollywood & Beyond is moving through Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide on its way to Auckland.
Between March 24 and April 3, Hoyts Sylvia Park will resound with the excitement of one of the most vibrant film industries in the world right now.
This year's festival features over 30 films of which 17 will be screened in New Zealand with nine premieres in a programme which celebrates the traditional Bollywood sequins and fantasy, and also demonstrates the depth of contemporary Indian film.
The Indian Film Festival will include two special guests to New Zealand: former Miss India, actor/producer Juhi Chawla and exploratory director Onirban Dhar (My Brother... Nikhil) will both be presenting their controversial new film, I AM and will discuss their careers within the world's biggest film industry.
Film festival director Mitu Bhowmick Lange says, "This year we are proud to present a broad range of films from traditional Bollywood, which show India at its most colourful and wonderful as well as those that tackle serious subjects and eloquently express a new sophistication in contemporary Indian cinema . We are also thrilled to play host to so many of Bollywood's finest filmmakers and acting talent as they discuss their films and share their passion for cinema."
Opening night audiences will be treated to a gala complete with Indian culinary delights, a special dance performance, a Q&A session with Juhi Chawla and Onirban Dhar and the New Zealand premiere of I AM.
I AM consists of four short films based on real-life stories and connected by the central theme of fear. The film was financed by donations from more than 400 people from around the world through social media sites such as Facebook, allowing the creators the freedom to tackle normally taboo subjects.
Other highlights of the festival include box office hits of the past year included No One Killed Jessica, a political thriller based on the true story of a murder by the son of a prominent politician and subsequent crusade for justice by the victim's sister.
The brilliantly Bollywood Dabangg stars Salman Khan, Malaika Arora Khan and Arbaaz Khan and was the highest grossing film in Indian in 2010.
Band Baja Baaraat gives a whole new meaning to the 'Big Fat Indian Wedding'. Beyond Bollywood, there's the comedy West Is West, the much anticipated sequel to the loved indie smash hit East is East.
Tongue-in-cheek comedy Tere Bin Laden also joins the line-up.
Mee Sindhutai Sapkal is a biographical account of an ordinary woman who reaches extraordinary heights, while Just Another Love Story narrates the life of a fading gay actor in India's theatre world.
Local lens
The Indian Film Festival is keen to foster greater understanding and collaboration between the Australian, New Zealand and Indian film industries.
Launched in 2010 the IFF Western Union Short Film Competition is aimed at discovering the future Peter Jacksons, George Millers and RajKumar Hiranis of the film world.
Entries for the 2011 competition have been created around the theme of "Dreams". Judges are director Kabir Khan; actor, writer and producer, Mick Molloy; writer/director, RajKumar Hirani; independent producer Robyn Kershaw and director Shimit Amin who select three winners - one international, one from Australia, and one from New Zealand.
Winners each receive return airfares to Mumbai. Each of the winning films will be screened at the 2011 Indian Film Festival and on SBS in Australia, Triangle and Stratos in New Zealand, and UTV World Movies in India, which boasts of over 30 million viewers per day.
There were several entries from New Zealand including Ashwini Patel's charming All Is Well about a young girl who dreams of getting rid of her flatmates, Edith Langes Saif Cracked about a lonely Indian girl's obsession with Bollywood actor Saif Khan.
The judges chose the stunning Blank Spaces by Rajneel Singh as the winning film from New Zealand. The film will also screen at the opening night of the festival.
And action
Indian Film Festival - Bollywood & Beyond, March 24 to April 3.
The Indian Film Festival is a Mind Blowing Films initiative sponsored by Western Union, Lebara, Singapore Airlines, La Trobe, City of Melbourne, SBS, UTV World Movies, Indian Link, Deluxe, Indian Weekender and Triangle and Stratos.
Bookings and info: www.indianfilmfestival.com.au or ph Hoyts Box Office on 0508 4 HOYTS