I Am Banni To Be Showcased At International Children’s Film Festival  In Lucknow From April 4 To April 12, 2019

Jyothi Venkatesh

The feature film I Am Banni  produced by Lion Anil Garg, who also happens to be the Founder & MD of Tour India Tours & Travels Private Limited as well as the President, School Bus Owner Association (India), besides being the Chairman & Trustee of St Mary’s High School, Mumbai and directed by Nitin Choudhary, who had earlier directed  popular TV serials including Uttaran and K.K. Makwana, has been selected to be showcased at the 11^th CMS Films Division’s International Film Festival which will be held  in Lucknow from April 4 to April 12, 2019. Verghese Kurian, Head , Films & Radio Division & Director, Festival  says that the film I Am Banni has been selected by the Jury comprising of Chairman Robert Adrian Pejo, Makarand Sathe, Santwana Bardoloi, Mardecai Ogada and Antonio La Camera. The prestigious film festival will showcase besides I Am Banni, several feature Fiction films, Feature Animation films, Short Fiction films, Short Animation films, feature documentaries as well as short documentaries.

As many as 156 films in different categories will be showcased during a period of 10 days in as many as 7 halls where as many as 3200 people, mostly students from schools and colleges will be in attendance on all the ten days. Says  Anil Garg, “My film sets out to promote the social cause of Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao and will be eventually shown in 20,000 schools and 45,000 private schools. My initiative is supported by NISA (National Independent School Alliance) and EW (Education World), a premium school magazine. This is also endorsed by the Parent Teacher Association of India. I am delighted to know that my film I Am Banni will be the inaugural film at the festival in Lucknow. My film is based on the real story of a young Indian girl and touches upon the sensitive issue like the child abuse and also the manipulation of the education policy in small and remote villages by the powerful government officials. It also sets out to highlight the taboo in smaller villages, which disown girls who study after Class V.”

I Am Banni stars Roshni Walia, Amanda Rosario, Gaurav Garg, Harjinder Singh and Vikas Shrivastav in the lead roles. Made for not just children but also for an audiences of all ages , I Am Banni has enthralling songs like Hum Honge Kaamyaab, Hanji Hunji, Bam Patakha, Bhagwan and I Am Banni, the title track with veteran singers like Sukhwinder Singh, Shaan, Shibani Kashyap, Kanika Kapoor, Vaishali Samant etc. Another highlight of the film is a song sung by Amrutha Fadnavis, wife of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Nitin Choudhary  and K.K. Makwana who have directed I Am Banni, say in unison “Our film is an inspirational film which will motivate the youth  to stand united against  inequality, social injustice and set out to support the  right to education for the less privileged. The film would also encourage the youth to join the education sector and strive for excellence. “

Anil Garg signs off. “My film brings in social circumstances and cultural beliefs and customs which become important factors stopping the girl child empowerment. My film will make the youth understand the importance, relevance and real meaning of Beti Bachaon Beti Padao, highlighting how education is a gender privilege in most parts of our country, how students have to face hardships in villages to get basic education.”

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