India Post News Service

LOS ANGELES: Bollywood ratcheted to a new level of excitement in Los Angeles, for a six day Film Festival - India Splendor, hosted by the eclectic utopian spirit of Doctor M (Bhupendra Kumar Modi) chairman of M Global Trust, the philanthropic branch of India based telecommunications IT giant MCorpGlobal. Doctor M's mission was to "salute the sensitivity, passion and brilliance of the film producers… true visionaries of peace, who have transformed a vibrant art form into a powerful medium to spread the message of oneness, for the sake of all humanity".

The US House of Representatives has already issued a Proclamation of Appreciation to Doctor M in recognition of his efforts to promote deeper understanding between the two countries and congratulated him on his inspirational innovations and humanitarian efforts worldwide. Modi has been called a Global Citizen, Billionaire Entrepreneur, Futurist and Educationist, Philanthropist and Peacemaker, Author and Film Producer. He has offices in London, Dubai, Shenzhen, Singapore, New Delhi and Mumbai and is the first Indian businessman to set up operations in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles.

In 1987, he set up MGLOBAL TRUST, a not for profit organization that plays an active role in promoting Education, Healthcare, Holistic Living Global Peace & Understanding. Modi donated one million dollars towards the India Splendor which went towards a packaged showing of art workshops, movie tributes, a book launch, (Anupam Chopra) film screenings, luminaries, spirituality, ( a meeting with spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar) panel discussions and a fashion show (Suneet Verma). For the closing gala awards were given to top giants in technology, humanitarian services and the movie industry.

The two celebrity capitals of the world, Mumbai and Los Angeles came together and events were designed with panache. Tickets were free and available on first come, first served basis while Wipro, ICM and Sify and private donations made the festival possible. The Cultural Ambassador Ashok Amritraj, Program Committee Chairman Krishan Lal Chugh and Artwallah were handpicked by Dr Modi to present the multicultural events, organized by the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television.

Bollywood was the buzzword and as India celebrates its 60th anniversary of independence, this very ambitious festival was aimed to "build bridges to one of the world's oldest cultures, and newest economic powers." said Robert Rosen, Dean UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. Indeed, Sony Pictures is doing a joint production with Sanjay Leela Bhansali's production house SLB Films starring Ranbir Kapoor, son of Rishi Kapoor, grandson of Raj Kapoor and great grandson of Privithraj Kapoor.

Films were screened at prestigious theatres. Chak de India, Eklavya, Guru, Gandhi, Life in a Metro represented vivid physiologically portraits, urban landscapes, community, ravishing, sumptuous color cinematography, haunting music, innovation and onscreen magic. Opening at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Beverly Hills with a screening of Chak de India, starring Shahrukh Khan, the week epitomized India's rich film heritage while showcasing the bold and innovative new cinema of India as in Life in the Metro.

The festival defined the enormous significance of India's place in global cinema. It was an exhilarating lineup of prominent directors, producers and actors. Apart from films, there was a high octane fashion show by Suneet Verma, one of India's top fashion designers; a talk on the The World is One Family by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a book release by Anupama Chopra, the author of King of Bollywood and the Seductive World of Indian Cinema.

Art workshops and auctions were presented by Indian painters Bose Krishnamachari, C Jagdish, Shanshad Hussain and Harshavardhana at Melnitz Hall Lobby, University of California Los Angeles 9UCLA).

A tribute to the legend Raj Kapoor highlighted the diversity and hypnotic compelling lure of Indian cinema. "India Splendor" said Dr M "will bring out the understanding of a vibrant New India. It will showcase the global impact of India's extraordinary Heritage, Holistic outlook and Hi-tech contribution to the world.

It will be the benchmark for a new series of collaborative endeavors between global creative communities and the beginning of a dynamic new relationship between the world's two largest democracies, two largest entertainment industries and two most culturally diverse countries." Dr M's dream was realized.