13B to open at Shanghai Film Festival

Vikram V Kumar's bilingual 13B [in Hindi and Tamil] is going places.

First, the script of 13B written by Vikram was purchased by the Weinstein Company, one of the largest film production houses and distributors in the world, which has produced films like Rambo 4, The Nutty Professor, The Reader and Outlander.

Now comes the news that 13B has been selected to compete in the 'International panorama' category of the Shanghai Film Festival to be held from June 13 to 21.

Danny Boyle, the Oscar winning director of Slumdog Millionaire heads the jury of one of Asia's biggest event which draws 300,000 audience every year.

An elated Vikram Kumar said, "I got a call from Big Pictures on May 13 that our film 13B has been selected for the festival. I cannot help but notice the number 13 connection!"

After Big Pictures had a discussion with him earlier, the production company decided to send 13B to the festival.

"Honestly, I did not expect this at all. I am very happy and really, really proud. It feels wonderful just to see your film at an international film festival," Vikram gushed.

So what are his expectations from the festival?

"We will go from here on the 11th. I am keeping my fingers crossed and hope for the best."

Text: Shobha Warrier | Photograph:  Madhavan in a scene from 13B.