'Tongues on Fire' London Asian Film Festival 2010
5-14 March 2010

The 12th 'Tongues on Fire' London Asian Film Festival returns on Friday 5th March 2010 with a Q&A with Bollywood hearthtrob Abihshek Bachchan, followed by a gala dinner that will honour Jaya Bachchan with a “Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding contribution to cinema spanning over three decades. Screenings at this year's festival include: a Jaya Bachchan Retrospective with screenings of her films 'Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa', 'Kora Kagaz', 'Guddi', 'Abhimaan', 'Uphaar' and 'Lovesongs, Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow'as well as contemporary films like Nagesh Kukunoor's 'Iqbal','Well Done Abba!' 'Cash & Curry'. Also returning this year is the hotly contested TOF Short Film Competition.

Sepcial events at this year's festival include a BAFTA Interview and Director's Workshop with Shyam Benegal, Celebrating Sports Through Films like 'Chak de India', as Actor’s Masterclass with Abhishek Bachchan and a roundtable discussion to celebrate the launch the India Media Centre at the University of Westminster.

Tongues on Fire (TOF) is a film festival dedicated to expressing the drive and spirit of Asian independent media and cinema cultures of South Asia.
Founding Directors Pushpinder Chowdhry and Harvinder Nath began the Festival in 1999 with the aim of using film as a way of empowering women in communities who seldom visit cinemas. TOF has highlighted the work of eminent directors inlcuding Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding, The Namesake), Gurinder Chadha (Bend It Like Beckham), and Aparna Sen (15 park Avenue) alongside actors such as Shabana Azmi, Nandita Das, Madhur Jaffrey and Kirron Kher, and the legendary Bollywood dancer, Helen. The 2009 Festival hosted directors, Deepa Metha (Heaven on Earth) and Asif Kapadia.

A BAFTA Interview with Abhishek Bachchan
Friday 5th March – BAFTA
12th Tongues on Fire Film Festival Opening
[18:30] Reception
[19:00] Interview

The interview will explore Abhishek Bachchan’s contribution to the Indian film industry and allow audiences to hear first-hand of his experiences. Abhishek Bachchan is the son of Indian actors Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan – India’s foremost acting dynasty. He has achieved both critical and commercial success. Bachchan made his debut with Refugee (2000). In 2004 the actor delivered a hit and a critically acclaimed performance in the films Dhoom and Yuva. His performance in the latter was praised and he received several awards, including his first Filmfare Award in as Best Supporting Actor, an award he would win for the two next years.

He then went on to receive his first Filmfare Nomination as Best Actor in Bunty Aur Babli (2005), Guru (2007) and Dostana (2008). Guru emerged as his first solo big hit. Abhishek has joined many Bollywood actors that have ventured into producing films. His fist shot at it was for the Hindi film Paa. Abhishek was not only was one of the lead actors in Paa, but was the main hands on producer in charge of the budget, marketing and the entire production of the film.

This event Exclusive to TOF and BAFTA members.

Opening Night Gala Dinner: Jaya Bachchan
Friday 5th March – Park Lane Sheraton Hotel, Piccadilly Circus
[20:00] Gala Dinner, Tickets: £150 + VAT

The event will honour Jaya Bachchan and present her with a “Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding contribution to Cinema spanning over three decades. Tongues on Fire is proud to announce its Opening Night Gala Dinner hosted by British TV and film actors Rizwan Ahmed and Neerja Naik. This star studded event will include the presence of Lord Meghnad Desai, as key speaker, and Lady Kishwar Desai, film directors Jayabrato Chatterjee and Sangeeta Datta, film stars Meera Syal, Sanjeev Bhaskar and also Bollywood mega-star Abhishek Bachchan.

There will be special performances by dancers Natalie Rani Rout, Leylah and Bhavika Mistry, Indian Idol 4 singer Robby Khela, the super tight "Bollywood-meets-Soul" band Botown and the sensational singer Mona Singh.

Film Screenings

Iqbal

It is a story about the undying spirit to win against all odds interwined with cricket madness.

Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa

Set in Calcutta in the early 70's this film is an emotional story of a mother's awakening to her son's beliefs after his death.

Kora Kagaz

A chance encounter leads to a family drama brought to life by Jaya Bachchan.

Guddi

Guddi provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at the movie industry in Bombay during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Abhimaan

When Uma’s singing career overtakes her husband’s, jealousy begins to grow. Can love overcome it all?

Uphaar

Anoop falls in love with Minoo to realize too late of her incapacity to understand love and relationships. How much is she going to change when he has to leave her...

Cash and Curry

Said to be one of the most controversial British films for years, it is set right in the middle of a gang war between the two biggest drug lords in London.

Life Goes On

Through a grave loss a father manages to sees his daughters for what they are and not what he expected them to be.

Bollywood Beats

Life doesn’t seem to be going according to plan for Raj until he starts a dance class for Indian women.

Deshantori

Meaning “The Migrant”, Deshantori asks why taking on risky and life threatening attempts to migrate has become an option for the Bangladeshi youth?

An Act of Terror

Ali has been arrested on suspicion of terrorism and one summer’s evening becomes a night of darkness for the Malik family.

Playing the Taar

The film tells the story of a 17-year-old Turkmen girl. Turkmens are the minority in Afghanistan. They have their own costumes and traditions and women end up being...

Made in Pakistan

A documentary that tells the story of four Pakistani individuals in Lahore from diverse backgrounds who challenge the stereotype of Pakistanis prevalent in the media.

Haat the Weekly Bazaar

The story revolves around a Rajasthan custom called “Natha Pratha” and Sanja, a woman that stands up against it.

Last Chance Mumbai

Twenty-four hours is a long time in Mumbai. Anything can happen. Anyone can change. The film follows the fate of four different people in one day in their lives.

Flowers of the Sky

A silver screen idol of yesterday is the faded star of today. In the web of a scandal the limelight is all in her again making her confront the darkest demons of her...

Paa

A very rare father-son, son-father story with Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan.

Yuva

Michael, Arjun and Lallan, three men from three different classes of society, cross paths one morning in Kolkata and change each other’s lives forever.

Dostana

Dostana is the story of two men who pretend to be gay to secure an apartment with a pool and view in Miami, but fall in love with the landlady’s niece.

Chak de India

Chak de India is the story of a coach fight to make his country proud and redeem himself.

Well Done Abba

Fable or truth – the story revolves around a central question – how a well, once dug, can be stolen?

Lovesongs: Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow

Lovesongs is an evocative story of how ordinary lives suddenly change because of extraordinary circumstances.

Guru

Guru is the story of a man, Gurukant Desai, and his rise from a small villager to becoming the most powerful man in the country.

Click on www.tonguesonfire.com for screening details.