Rituparno Ghosh’s ‘Chitrangada’ first India premier at Osian's 12 Cinefan Film Festival 2012

Rituparno Ghosh’s ‘Chitrangada’ first India premier at Osian's 12 Cinefan Film Festival 2012
Festival to focus on Indian Arab and Asian movies
Osian's 12th Cinefan Film Festival is all set to expand its wing with the inclusion of acclaimed Bengali Filmmaker - Rituparno Ghosh, whose much awaited contentious film 'Chitrangada' will have its first India premier under the 'Freedom of expression' section of the festival. The film is one of the most radical explorations in Indian film, about the freedom to choose one’s gender and sexual orientation. The sharpness of Ghosh’s portrayal of the Third Sex cultural position comes from his own path-breaking insistence over the past decade in exerting his right to make choices when it comes to sex and gender.
'Chitrangada' is a contemporary reworking of Tagore’s famous dance drama of the same name which depicts the love story of Arjuna and the warrior-princess of Manipur, Chitrangada. Ghosh plays ‘Chitrangada’ to Jisshu Sengupta’s ‘Arjuna in this modern allegorical tale about the fuzzy nature of gender and sexuality. Freedom of expression has always been Osian’s - Cinefan’s core concern since its inception; and naturally the overwhelming principle in all activities for Osian’s. In this context, much of the film programming will reflect the values of a new youth culture both in terms of the cinema shown and the new related musical programs which provide another exciting dimension and energy to Osian’s - Cinefan. The focus will be on the spirit of the youth to rebel so as to define a different future from the past.