Today, I am going to participate in the Indian Panorama, special segment of the festival, where only movies from Indian regional industries are premiering.

Opening with The Last Lear, an Indian, English language film directed by highly-praised director Rituparno Ghosh, featuring Bollywood’s biggest star Amitabh Bachchan along with beautiful Preity Zinta and model-turned actor Arjun Rampal.

This is Bachchan’s first-ever English-lingo film, where he plays a character called Harish Mehta, who holds profound passion for William Shakespeare’s work. In this 123 mins film, Harish, who has left the stage to move back to his home in Calcutta for good, is persuaded by new-age ace film director, Siddharth (Arjun Rampal), who requests Harish make his first big-screen appearance in his movie, which is about an old, blemished joker in a dying, bankrupt circus. Soon after agreeing to work, Harry struggles with the cinematic practice, but finds retreat in training model-turned-actress Shabnam (Preity Zinta) the skills of acting. This movie goes back and forth into flashback, slowly-but-surely making its plot clear to the viewers.

Brilliantly acted by all and sundry, this is a must watch film for Mr. Bachchan’s fans, which I believe are the entire nation. Also worth mentioning, this movie received a standing ovation from the Canadian audience during its premier at the Toronto Film Festival. Apparently, Mr. Bachchan was scheduled to be personally present at the premier, but had to cancel. Poor audience, they were lined-up since early morning to catch the glimpse of their beloved superstar.

Second half of the day: I traveled to Maquinez multiplex to enjoy my second Indian movie, Hope Dies Last In War. This 80 mins Indian, English-language movie is about the after math of the two-week war between neighboring India and Pakistan in 1971. This left a number of Indian prisoners of war (POW) unaccounted for and assumed to be in Pakistani custody, and Pakistani POWs in Indian prison. This sporadically eye-opening, special film revolves around a group of POWs that are often ignored, if not outright forgotten, overshadowed by more high-profile or current soldiers in the same situation. Until this day, Hope follows the families of several POWs as they constantly appeal both governments for the release of their loved ones, even when there’s peace between the nuclear-capable nations. A very sympathetic film that will definately touch your heart.

Ironically, both of today’s movies are Indian, English-speaking, which is rare in this industry. Produced, directed, and acted by stars from Indian regional movies.

That’s all for today. There’s lot more left to experience at the festival… so stay tuned at Boxoffice.com.