Mira Nair`s `Salaam Bombay!` to be re-released

Mumbai: Mira Nair`s famous debut film `Salaam Bombay`, about a runaway boy eking out a living as a teaboy in Mumbai`s notorious red-light area, has completed 25 years and is all set to be re-released by PVR.

"It`s absolutely thrilling to bring `Salaam Bombay!` to a new generation of young people. The story is as alive today!," Nair, 55, said in a statement. The film, which was the second movie from India to get nominated for a Best Foreign Film Oscar, will be released by PVR Director`s Rare on March 22 to commemorate its 25th birthday. The film originally released in 1988. "I am immensely pleased to announce the re-release of `Salaam Bombay!` through PVR Director`s Rare. The movie is a stunning chronicle that opened doors for Indian cinema globally," said Sanjeev Kumar Bijli, JMD, PVR Ltd. The gritty story is set in the red light district in Mumbai and chronicles the day-to-day life of street children, drug-pushers, pimps and prostitutes. It follows the life of a young kid Krishna who has come to the big city to earn Rs 500 and is nurturing the dream of going back to his mother someday. The National award winning film starred Shafiq Syed as young Krishna, launched the career of Irrfan Khan. Raghuvir Yadav and Nana Patekar played the roles of a drug addict and a pimp in the movie. The film won 25 international awards, including two at Cannes- the Camera D`Or and the Prix Publique (the most popular film in the festival) upon its release besides being nominated for the best foreign film at the Academy awards. PVR will also release Nair`s upcoming film `Reluctant Fundamentalist` in India. PTI