Special UK premiere of `Bombay Talkies` at LIFF

London: A special UK premiere of `Bombay Talkies`, the anthology tribute to 100 years of Indian cinema, will be the highlight of the 4th annual London Film Festival commencing here on July 18.

The week-long festival returns to the Capital, celebrating Indian cinema and bringing to UK audiences a rare selection of cutting-edge films from some of India`s independent talents. Amit Kumar`s `Monsoon Shootout` will be the opening night film of the festival. `Bombay Talkies`, directed by Karan Johar, Zoya Akhtar, Dibakar Banerjee and Anurag Kashyap will be part of the closing ceremony. According to the organisers, "the festival presents a kaleidoscope of new films that challenge, shock, generate debate and present a more realistic view of India and the subcontinent today, in all its diversity." For the first time, the festival is going on tour to Bradford and Glasgow. The festival will stretch citywide, opening in the West End at the historic Cineworld Haymarket, and continuing at British Film Institute (BFI) Southbank, Cineworld cinemas, Shaftesbury Avenue, Wood Green, Wandsworth, Staples Corner, the O2 in Royal Greenwich, the Peckamplex and ICA near the Pall Mall. The centrepiece `In Conversation` on July 20 at the BFI Southbank, will be with actor Irrfan Khan, one of few Indians to straddle Hollywood, British and Indian cinema, talking to award winning director of `Senna`, Asif Kapadia. Khan`s memorable film roles include BAFTA winner `The Warrior`, Oscar winners, `Slumdog Millionaire` and `Life of Pi`, Hollywood blockbuster like `The Amazing Spider-Man`. Besides films in Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi languages, there will be a Pakistani film "Josh" in Urdu. There will be a rare `Life in Pictures` Masterclass, by well known South Indian director Adoor Gopalakrishnan on July 19 at BFI Southbank. The winner of the annual Satyajit Ray short film competition will be announced at the end of the festival at The Nehru Centre in Mayfair. Cary Rajinder Sawhney, Festival Director said, "We are delighted that the festival is growing from strength to strength." PTI