First Look: IFFI's Film Bazaar

The most important part of a film festival is the Film Bazaar," opines veteran director Yash Chopra.

Ten stalls make up the second International Film Festival of India Film Bazaar, but the men in the panel have a lot of hope for future growth.

Amit Khanna, head of the Film Producer's Guild, explains that a Film Bazaar is not where deals are actually struck, it's just where contacts come to life.

"Even at Cannes or Toronto, deals aren't actually made. People just exchange business cards and contacts, and things unfold later."

To this end, Adlabs owner Manmohan Shetty has pioneered a yacht, the Adlabs Adda, where invited intellectuals and film professionals are encouraged to meet and casually interact, over wine and prawns.

It's an interesting idea, but what about all the chaos currently assailing the festival? Khanna smiles. "Isn't that fun what a 'festival' is all about?'

In the picture: (From left) Director Nagesh Kukunoor; Manmohan Shetty; Film Producer's Guild chief Amit Khanna; producer/distributor Bobby Bedi; Yash Chopra.

Text: Raja Sen in Goa