Bhavana surprises as special guest at 26th IFFK, walks in to thunderous applause
India Today
South actress Bhavana, who recently announced her comeback to Malayalam cinema after five years, was seen as surprise guest at the opening ceremony of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK). She walked in to a thunderous applause.
Curtains went up for the 26th International Film Festival of Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram, with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan inaugurating the annual event on Thursday, March 17. Appearing as an unannounced special guest, actor Bhavana received a rousing welcome from those gathered on the occasion.
Bhavana at IFFK. I have watched the clip sooo many times pic.twitter.com/6camScetH2
In the seven-day-long cultural event, over 180 movies from various Asian, African, Latin American and European countries will be showcased in 14 theatres of the state capital. The festival honoured Turkish filmmaker Lisa Calan, a young Kurdish director who lost her legs in an ISIS attack in 2005, with the Spirit of the Cinema award.
The young positive spark revolt of resistance!Hon. Chief Minister of Kerala, @pinarayivijayan honoring Kurdish filmmaker @CalanLisa, with the Spirit of Cinema Award.@CalanLisa's 'The Tongue of the Mountains' will be shown on 19 March, 9am @ Ariesplex SL Cinemas Audi 6. pic.twitter.com/6aTXv4edLM
"Lisa Calan is a living martyr and her movies are examples of resistance and survival. Her life shows us that the fight for justice cannot be silenced with weapons," Vijayan said during his inaugural speech. He said cinema is a medium which can be used for social change and development. "Through her movies, Calan fights against the state sponsored terrorism and racial discrimination and used the medium of cinema in a progressive manner," Vijayan said.