Bollywood musical classic "Caravan" to be screened in China's film festival

MUMBAI, March 8 (Xinhua) -- A Bollyhood musical classic Film "Caravan" will be screened exclusively at the upcoming Hainan Island International Film Festival (HIIFF) in CHINA, India CHINA Film Society (ICFS) told Xinhua on Friday.

The festival is expected to be held from March 23 to April 16 at Sanya City in CHINA's southernmost province of Hainan.

Veteran Indian actor Jeetendra and actress Asha Parek starred in the musical blockbuster "Caravan" in 1971, which was directed by legendary Film maker Nasir Hussain.

The Film was released in CHINA later and its music by R.D. Burman, known as Mozart of Bollywood, became very popular then.

As Chinese audiences have beautiful memories of "Caravan", the Film festival organizer has decided to organize a special screening of the classic on the theme of Gems of Asia.

Jeetendra, the Bollywood legend and the leading role in the Film "Caravan", told Xinhua, "I am extremely happy and honoured to know that 'Caravan' movie has been chosen by committee to be screened on the day of opening ceremony in the festival."

"This is the great initiative which will enrich and promote the cultural exchanges between CHINA and India," he said.

"I am glad to know that 'Caravan' was one of the first movies from Bollywood which was loved by Chinese audiences," he added.

Founder of ICFS Kishor Jawade said, "It is a tribute to Indian cinema by specially screening of 'Caravan' by HIIFF and ICFS."

According to Nitin Sharma, an ICFS senior official, a live musical show by various Indian singers and musicians will be present during the opening ceremony event as a tribute performance to the Film and to late R.D. Burman, the music creator of the Film.