21 May,2011 07:09 AM IST | | The Hitlist Team
Chhatrak (Mushroom) received a standing ovation after being screened at the ongoing Cannes film festival in the Director's Fortnight section and its Sri Lankan director Vimukthi Jayasundara is confident his debut Indian film has struck a chord with the global audience.
The film, the only Indian feature entry at Cannes this year, was screened for special invitees on May 18.
"We, including lead star Paoli Dam, were feted and lauded by the audience, which consisted both critics from all over the world and ordinary audience.
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In the post-screening press show there was a buzz among the paparazzi over the film's location with many queries about Kolkata," Vimukthi said over the phone from Cannes.
"People were astounded to discover the contrasting facades of the city, which has sort of become my second home.
They wanted to know how it retained the very quaint spirit of a 300-year-old place despite the inevitable changes or urbanisation like mushrooming of highrises, flyovers and malls," he added.
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The film, talking about rootlessness, revolves around a successful NRI back in Kolkata to search his moorings. But to his dismay he finds that the city has fallen prey to urbanisation.
Asked if the rekindled interest in Kolkata, which acts as a metaphor in Chhatrak, will attract more tourists, the young director said, "I think it should."
