Pakistani film Zinda Bhaag to be screened at IFFI; may open in India by year end

The Naseeruddin Shah starrer Pakistani film Zinda Bhaag would be screened at the seventh edition of National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) initiative 'Film Bazaar'. The Bazaar, said to be NFDC's South Asia's Global Film Market, would be held on the sidelines IFFI (International Film Festival of India) from 20 to 24 November. Zinda Bhaag is a film about three young men trying to escape the reality of their everyday lives and succeeding in ways they had least expected. In a non-descript neighbourhood of Lahore, three friends are desperate to get on to the fast track to success. Khaldi, Taambi and Chitta, all in their early twenties, believe that the only way out is to the West. The journey that unfolds through the story of this film gives one a peep into what constitutes the everyday in the lives of many young men and women in Pakistan - a sense of entitlement that cannot be fulfilled, desperation to somehow prove themselves in the face of all legitimate doors being locked and an ennui from which they feel there is no getaway. After tasting success on the other side of the border, director Meenu Gaur’s film is now waiting for a commercial release in India as well. “In Pakistan the film is going strong even after seven weeks. We have even released it in the USA. Now we are hoping that the film will release in India as well,” averred the film’s director in a statement. Gaur also informed that they (producers) are in talks with distributors in India to try for a commercial release in either December or January. Incidentally, Zinda Bhaag, that is the first film from Pakistan to be sent for Oscar consideration early next year will be screened at the ongoing Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) on Saturday.