At Dr. Sandeep Marwah’s  ICMEI-AAFT global-media docu-film-fest event :  Why eminent film-maker Rahul Rawail is ‘sentimental’ about being appointed on Moscow Intn’l Film Festival Jury-2023 ? --- by Chaitanya  Padukone                  

It’s indeed a matter of  glorious pride  for  all Indians and  cinema-buffs ! Based on his meritorious track-record  experience and  competent ability, veteran yet young-at-heart genius Bollywood film-maker-writer-author Rahul Rawail  has just been appointed a Jury Member of the  Main Competition Program of the ensuing 45th prestigious Moscow International Film Festival-2023.  A formal intimation-invitation  letter to that effect, duly signed by Moscow-Film-Fest President Mr  Nikita Mikhalkov  has already been  delivered to director Rawail.  Which will be held from April 20 to 27,  2023 in the wonderful city Moscow (capital of Russia).

At the grand well-attended launching of  the 11^th International Documentary Film Festival—Noida 2023 convened by the dynamic, charismatic  Festival President Dr. Sandeep Marwah under the aegis of the International  Chamber of Media & Entertainment Industry (ICMEI)  and  backed  by AAFT (Asian Academy of Film & Television),  the genius senior film-maker Rahul Rawail was invited as the Chief Guest to speak  and also share his blessings.

Reacting  to the prestigious appointment, Rahul Rawail said, “Definitely, I am both honoured and humbled to be appointed as a Jury Member on the Moscow Int’nl Fest-2023 and I hope to deliver and live up to the expectations of everyone. It’s also of extra-sentimental importance for me, because I will be visiting Moscow and Russia which was home-ground for my mentor-Guru ‘showman’ Raj Kapoor-saab  whom I have assisted in his movies. As is known , Raj-saab was and continues to be a phenomenal ‘cult-figure’  all over Russia, including Moscow city, for the legacy of  all his landmark RK-movies, his classic performances and the evergreen RK-centric melodious movie songs,” shares outspoken Rahul who is very well-versed with and also a connoisseur of world cinema including Russian films.

Wasn’t author Rahul Rawail  also  planning to get his best-seller memoirs book ‘Raj Kapoor- The Master at Work’  also ‘translated’ in Russian  language ?   Reacts the brilliant ‘star-maker’ director   who has  a series of jubilee-hit landmark musical movies to his credit like  Love Story ( 1981), Betaab (1983) , Arjun (1985)  etc,  “ Of course, I would love to get it translated. In fact I have been trying to speak to concerned people. Maybe it is destined to materialize  when I will be in Moscow during the upcoming film-festival.. Honestly , maybe it’s okay even if I don’t get the money . But I would be delighted if  Raj-saab’s  die-hard Russian fans get to know many more  authentic insights about the iconic showman actor (RK) whom they idolize and love so much, ” insists Rawail.  The ‘Mast Kalandar ’ movie director (Rawail)   also showered praise  on  the knowledge-centric rapid growth of  the academic empire of dynamic  visionary Dr. Sandeep Marwah, who also proactively supports and rewards talented documentary film-makers.

During his address to the students and staff, the outspoken Rawail  criticised yellow journalism and  those broadcasting fake news.  also candidly shared why he  connects with documentaries.  Disclosed Rahul, “Whenever I attend various film-festivals, instead of movies I prefer to watch screenings of documentary films”.  The seasoned ace feature-films versatile director Rahul had his logical funda.  “ Sometimes there are  realistic  elements or characters in factual docu-features which  inspire me to use in my feature films. I can’t express what exactly it is.  These docu-films are made with a lot of honesty. I would love to watch the 1000-hour shoot footage of  which Sandeep Marwah has done with a torch from Wagah Indo-Pak border to Delhi . Because that would bring with it a huge treasure of  unique knowledge to everyone, “ expressed Rahul amidst  loud applause.

Multiple award-winning eminent senior film-journalist-author and former Censor Board (CBFC) Certifying Panel  Member Chaitanya Padukone was also among the distinguished six invited media-centric guests at the international docu-fest launch event was also honoured on stage with a memento-citation-plaque and a copy of the sacred Bhagvad Geeta book by AAFT University Chancellor Sandeep Marwah and illustrious film-maker Rahul Rawail.

Addressing the large gathering of students, senior film journalist Chaitanya said, “ It’s a  huge creative challenge to make lakhs of  viewers watch factual-reality documentaries . Which unlike movies, are generally minus any glamour, romance, action-violence and songs. But to maximize responses and traction of viewers  it’s  advisable to ideally incorporate elements of  pleasant shock-value, little-known intriguing trivia, lingering sentiments-emotions, cultural music and maybe a popular celebrity voice-over or cameo-visual presence”, suggested Chaitanya Padukone, amidst audience applause.