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CONCEPT
In the words of Dr BKM, "India Splendor 2007 brought out the understanding of a vibrant new India . It was the first in a series of collaborative endeavors between global creative communities and the beginning of a dynamic Indo-US relationship at the holistic level."
India Splendor 2007 was the first consequential effort of its kind to bring together film industry leaders and key decision-makers from Mumbai and Los Angeles . Our objective is to catalyze longer-term creative and business connections between these two international capitals of cinema that together produce more popular entertainment than the rest of the world combined.
HIGHLIGHTS
The events were held at some of the most elegant entertainment venues in Los Angeles, including the Sam Goldwyn Theatre of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the historic Royce Hall and the newly opened Billy Wilder Theatre at the Hammer Museum.
Over 5000 people attended the India Splendor events including members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as well as influential decision makers from Hollywood. India Splendor was covered extensively in the Californian press including LA Times, Variety, KTLA, India West and India Journal.
The Opening Night event was a global milestone for Indian cinema, with the first ever day and date release of an Indian film in USA - the blockbuster ‘Chak de India’. Starring Shah Rukh Khan, it was premiered at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater. The screening was followed by a spirited Q & A with director Shimit Amin and screenwriter Jaideep Sahni. Katrina Kaif, leading Indian film star was the Guest of Honor at the Opening Night.
The event highlights included a special 25th anniversary screening of eight Academy award winning film “Gandhi”.
A special tribute to filmmaker Raj Kapoor was attended by his family members, actors Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor. The discussion on the life and works of Raj Kapoor was moderated by Los Angeles-based journalist Mira Advani Honeycutt. The Q&A was preceded by the screening of a film, “Kehta hai Joker”.
One of the highlights was an eclectic fashion show at the Hammer Museum Courtyard by internationally renowned fashion designer Suneet Verma.
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, founder of the Art of Living Foundation, electrified the gathering at the Billy Wilder Theater, with his inspiring talk on the Holistic Values and Spiritual Heritage of India.
Celebrated author and TV personality Anupama Chopra launched her new book, "The King of Bollywood: Shah Rukh Khan and the Seductive World of Indian Cinema," with the screening of a special interview with Shah Rukh Khan.
Internationally acclaimed Indian Filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra participated in an insightful and thought-provoking discussion with Screen International’s Mike Goodridge, after a screening of his hugely successful epic film "Eklavya".
Anurag Basu’s, "Life in a… Metro" was screened at the Billy Wilder Theater followed by a panel discussion on “An Indian Actor in Hollywood”, moderated by Ken Silverman. It featured noted actors of Indian origin, Noel D'Souza, Kabir Bedi, Gulshan Grover, Sheetal Sheth, Amrapali Ambegaonkar and Namrata Singh Gujral, who shared their cross-cultural film experiences.
A Business Panel discussion on India's emergence as a Hi-tech Knowledge Society, titled “Creating Wealth in the 21st Century”, with six Indian Billionaires, had a keynote by N R Narayana Murthy, Infosys Chief Mentor, followed by a discussion with Rajendra Pawar, NIIT Chairman, Raju Vegesna, Silicon Valley entrepreneur, Vallabh Bhanshali, Enam Consultants Founder & Chairman, Vivek C Burman, Chairman, Dabur and Kishore Lulla, Chairman, Eros International. The panel was moderated by Michelle Crames.
Celebrity star couple Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan along with legendary Film Director Mani Ratnam flew in especially for the screening of “Guru” at the Billy Wilder Theater. The trio participated in a lively Q&A moderated by Variety’s Asia Editor, Patrick Frater, much to the delight and enthusiastic response from the huge audience.
Each afternoon over the six-day event, an art workshop by four brilliant Indian painters S Harshwardhan, Shamshad Hussain, Bose Krishnamachari and C. Jagdish was held at UCLA's Melnitz Hall. As a special salute to India’s 60th year of Independence, the 4 artists collaborated on an on-the-spot painting reflecting the spirit of India.
As a special salute on the occasion of India’s Independence Day, India Splendor honored eminent Indians with the “India Splendor Awards for Outstanding Global Achievement” for their contributions in the fields of Heritage, Holistic and Hi-tech.
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