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| Goutam Ghosh (left) with film producer V.M. Virag. Telegraph Picture |
Ranchi, Oct. 30: Legendary film producer-director Goutam Ghosh and Bolly- wood star Jackie Shroff will visit the state capital on November 6.
The two film personalities would be here to encourage the feature film producers and directors of Jharkhand by participating in a cine award function to be organised by Jharkhand Motion Pictures Association.
While Ghosh would be giving away the awards to the winners on the occasion, for Shroff, it would be a trip to the location of his forthcoming film Kankal: The Skeleton, which is to be shot in the rural areas of Jharkhand.
“Initially, Ghosh was unwilling to come to Jharkhand due to his past experience in McCluskiganj in 2006,” said V.M. Virag, a local film producer having a close association with Ghosh.
He said the legendary producer-director would be handing over the awards to the winners in the function. “We convinced him to come here saying that he would just have to come to the state capital,” Virag added.
In 2006, a gang of goons had attacked the house where Rupa Ganguli was staying during the shooting of a film by Ghosh in McCluskieganj. They had even robbed off the belongings of the actress.
The award ceremony is being organised in Ranchi Club and would be attend- ed by several directors and producers of the state. The award would be given joint- ly by Jharkhand Motion Pictures Association, Kuch Khas Events and Prayas.
“We are organising the programme to recognise the local talents associated with film making,” said B.N. Tiwari, a member of the organising team.
Shroff would be in Patna on the following day — November 7 where he is scheduled to take part in a programme for promotion of his upcoming movie Hum Haen Khalnayak.
Shroff has also been signed by Virag to play the lead role in a feature film Kankal: The Skeleton. The movie is based on the Naxalite problem and its shooting would take place in the hamlets surrounding the state capital.
Though the award is being given to local producers and directors for the last two years, this is the first time when Bollywood stars would join the function.
“There have been a number Nagpuri films which are vying for Jharkhand Cine Awards under various categories. We are finalising the winners now,” Tiwari said, though he declined to divulge the winners of the awards.
The entries included Goriya Tor Kirya — a Khorta film by Virag, Jharkhand kar Hero No. 1 and Chahat among others, Tiwari added.
The cine awards are given for best film, best director, best lyric, best actor, best actress and best scriptwriter.
Tiwari said the awards have been designed on the Bollywood’s Cine Kala Awards pattern and are given at local level to encourage the persons associated with film making.
Two years back, the awards began at a small level and there were not many entries. However, this year there are well over 40 feature films, in the nomination list. The organisers also said the Jharkhand cine awards are setting a positive trend in film making in the state.
“The artistes feel that their talent is being recognised. This is important,” Tiwari said. “We cannot match the Bollywood grandeur, but we are trying to make the function memorable. Presence of icons like Ghosh and Shroff would not only boost the confidence of the artistes but it will also make the organisers privileged,” he said.