(From left) Anand Kumar, Sita Spada and Nitish Kumar at the premiere of Jo Dooba So Par at P&M mall in Patna on Saturday. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, Oct. 1: Director Praveen Kumar received a major boost in his maiden film whose audience included the chief minister of the state. Nitish Kumar today watched Jo Dooba So Paar — Its Love in Bihar at Cinepolis at P&M in Patliputra.

Nitish had words of appreciation for the Bihar-centric film. “The film will surely inspire the youths of our state and make them more devoted towards their duty. It depicts various aspects of life and is a complete entertainer. I totally enjoyed the film,” Nitish said, wishing the film well and congratulating those who were involved in its making.

This is a comedy film set in the background of corruption and violence in Bihar. The plot revolves around a Bihari youth Kishu, played by Anand Kumar, who falls in love with Sapna, played by Sita Spada. Sita is an American girl who has come to Bihar to research on Madhubani paintings, she gets kidnapped and Kishu and his friends rescue her from the clutches of goons. Rajat Kapoor and Vinay Pathak also play important roles in the film.

“The way the youths have shown courage and responsibilities towards foreign people who visit Bihar is really appreciable. The filmmakers have taken up a good issue,” Nitish said.

Nitish was accompanied by MLCs Sanjay Jha and Sanjay Singh apart from chief minister’s secretaries S. Siddharth, Aatish Chandra, Chanchal Kumar and Gopal Singh during the 1 hour 45 minute movie.

The film has also been selected for the Spectrum Section of the 2011 South Asian International Film Festival, which will be held in New York from November 9-15 this year.

The film will release across India on October 14.

Italian actress Sita Spada, who is on her first visit to Bihar, said she is very excited being here. “Even though I am an Italian, I am an Indian at heart because my ancestors are from this country. I am really happy to be a part of the film,” she said, adding that she had heard about Nitish’s development work for the state before coming to the country.

“It is a proud moment to meet him and I hope he liked the film because it is based on his state,” she said. “Dhanyabaad Nitishji, aap yeh film dekhne aaye (I thank Nitishji for coming and seeing this movie),” she said in broken Hindi.

Sita is debuting in the film. Prior to this, she has only taken part in Italian plays in her country. Even though she liked being a part of the movie, she had a tough time speaking in Hindi.

Assurance to traders

Chief minister Nitish Kumar asked the traders of Bihar to establish their business without any fear as good governance prevails in the state.

Nitish was speaking on the occasion of Agrasen Jayanti Samaroh jointly organised by Bihar Pradeshik Agrawal Sammelan and Agrasen Sewa Nyas at Dadiji Temple.

Without naming RJD chief Lalu Prasad, Nitish attacked him and said: “Now, there is no fear in the city, there is no kidnapping of the businessmen, there is no chanda vasooli (extortion). Establish your business in Bihar and I assure you that nothing will happen to the traders’ community.”

He distributed certificates to eight girls and two boys for their extraordinary performance in academics. Radhika Jain of Notre Dame Academy who has secured 93 per cent in Plus Two commerce stream said Nitish's efforts to encourage girl child education has inspired her to perform well in her exams.

Bihari actor from Bhojpur, Vinay Pathak, who plays the role of a police inspector praised the movie. “He is the new face of Bihar and Bihari like me who is staying outside always feel proud on being a Bihar, it�s all because of Nitish Kumar who has given a new energy and stamina to the state. I believe that earlier the image of the state was a bit dark but due to effort and hard work of Nitish jee who has take the state on new heights�. .

He further said, �There is no doubt that development is taking place in the state and it�s a proud movement for all of us to be the part of it�.

Anand Tiwari who has played the role of young Bihari said, �I am your big fan and it�s my dream coming true that today I met you. You are always a inspiration for youths like me and many other youths who wants to achieve the status which you have achieved�.