Chintu Ji
Directed by Ranjit Kapoor
India, 2009, Hindi (English Subtitles), US Premiere
Cast – Rishi Kapoor, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Kulraj Randhawa, Saurabh Shukla
With an introduction by Rishi Kapoor

Special thanks to Eros Entertainment and Kaleidoscope Entertainment

Hadbahedi, a small but beautiful town, is forward looking but honest. It competes for resources and recognition with a neighboring corrupt town, Triphala. Hadbahedians believe that they have been totally neglected by the state and seek an identity. They are lead in this endeavor, by Arun, the local newspaper’s proprietor. Things brighten when they discover that Rishi/Chintu Kapoor was actually born in their village 55 years back. A grand welcome follows.

Chintu arrives with Devika Malhotra, his young and dynamic PR agent.  He is a nuisance at Hadbahedi and treats the innocent people of Hadbahedi with contempt.  The brattish and obnoxious behavior of Chintuji is in stark contrast to the genial, innocent nature of the townies. Arun and Devika get along well, their romance blossoming, while ruthless Chintu is falling prey to the tempting monetary and political offer made by Triphala. The town by now has started getting the media and government’s attention due to Chintu’s stay in Hadbahedi. However, he continues to play havoc with the lives of the people. Chintu with the tempting offer from Triphala, on one side, and Arun-Devika with the townsfolk on the other, are at the middle of a see-saw climax, while concurrently, Arun’s past unfolds for the audience.

Does ChintuJi really deserve the ‘Ji’? Are the townies disillusioned in their love for their superstar Chintu Ji?
 
Ranjit Kapoor (Director) Ranjit Kapoor is a veteran writer of the Hindi film industry with iconic films like Bandit Queen and Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron to his credit. After graduating in Direction from The National School of Drama, he started his career with Theatre and Television and gained much acclaim. His other works include Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, Mangal Pandey, The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Kya Kehna, Khakee and Halla Bol. Chintuji is his first film as Director. He has been awarded the Shikhar Samman from the Govt. of Madhya Pradesh, the Sangeet Natak Academy Award for Life Time Achievement in Direction, and the Sahitya Kala Parishad Samman.
 
With: Fatakra
Directed by Soham Mehta
USA, 2010, 19 minutes, English

Naveen left India to chase his dreams in America. Three years and a recession later, his wife and son finally join him. ‘Fatakra’ (‘Firecracker’) tells the story of the sparks that fly on their first day together as dreams collide with reality.