Tue. Mar 19th, 2024
Pahuna- Sikkimese feature film

Deeply affected by the saddening video of videos and pictures of Syrian kids hurt in an immoral war filmmaker Paakhi A Tyrewala decided to screen her feature film ‘Pahuna’, for them. The screenings will be held in Iran, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, and probably in Syria.

The filmmaker plans to set up temporary theatres to give the children a magical experience of cinema. Given that dubbing can be expensive, Paakhi has opted for the real-time translation, which will translate the dialogue as spoken in the film.

“We all want to do something for Syria. As a filmmaker, this is my contribution. If it works positively then my production company, my friends and I would like to make this an on-going project and not limit it to Indian films. Cinema can be pure entertainment, but it can also be educational and serve as a catalyst for change and as a reminder of our roots. While screening the film at festivals, I realized that children not only loved Pahuna but the film also empowered them. Since the movie is about displaced children, I felt it would easily resonate with the Syrian children who have also been displaced. By showing this film, I can give some hope and courage to the kids in these refugee camps. If nothing else, these children deserve some laughter.”

Priyanka Chopra with her mother Dr. Madhu Chopra has financed the film. The duo also acquired the permission for the screening.

The director says, “I don’t have the rights to the film. I reached out to Mrs. Chopra and in three weeks, the permission from Priyanka and she was in. My only concern is that kids, who are living in those camps, will constantly think of the unfairness and wrong things that they have been through, which can make their thinking tilt on the negative. Showing them tales of survival and hope can change that. While my friends from an NGO and I screen this film, we will also scout for more entertaining, and kids-friendly cinema to tell these little ones that there is indeed a beautiful world beyond the walls of these camps.”

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