Patriotic film festival kicks off

Ghazi screened as the inaugural show at VUDA Children Arena

Dazzling show: Children performing at the inaugural of the patriotic film festival in Visakhapatnam on Sunday.

Marking the celebration of 70 years of independence, the three-day patriotic film festival at VUDA Children Arena started off with a lively cultural show on Sunday.

For a couple of days, movie buffs will get to watch films such as ‘Chak De India’, ‘I am Kalam’ and ‘Border’ among other films.

Inaugurating the festival, being organised by the Directorate of Film Festivals, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, HRD Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao said that Visakhapatnam was selected to organise the festival along with Chennai and Kochi. “Steps will be taken to feature such festivals monthly once as they aid in promoting tourism also,” he stated extending invitation to the ensuing national Children’s Film Festival scheduled to begin from April 7.

District Collector Pravin Kumar said those who missed watching patriotic films earlier can utilise the opportunity. The country’s first underwater war film

Ghazi was screened as the inaugural show. Movie buffs will get a chance to watch ‘Chak De India’ (11 a.m.), ‘Sardar’ (11 a.m.), ‘Border’ (2 p.m.), ‘Iqbal’ (2 p.m.) on Monday followed by ‘Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’ (11 a.m.), ‘I Am Kalam’ (11 a.m.), ‘Lagaan’ (2 p.m.), ‘Alluri Seetharama Raju’ (2 p.m.) on Tuesday. The films will be screened on the ground and the first floors.

Zilla Parishad Chairperson Lalam Bhavani, District Education Officer in-charge C.V. Renuka, Deputy DEO Nagamani, Joint Collector Venkat Reddy, VUDA secretary A. Srinvas, among others took part in the inaugural session.