The Kumbh hosts ethical film festival

In keeping with the essence of the event, an Ethical Film Festival is being held at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad, where films with a message are being screened, catering specifically to youngsters who are visiting the mela. Nearly 100 short films will be shown in the 60-day festival, which began earlier this month. Organized by a Mumbai-based outfit, with actors like Akshaye Khanna, Mukesh Khanna and Amit Pachori have been roped in for the project. A temporary auditorium with a sitting capacity of 500 people and equipped with latest projectors has been set up in Sector 14 of the mela for the screening of the films. “Since Kumbh is perhaps the largest congregation of humans, we wanted to use this platform to show films that inculcate values in the youth that are fast eroding. Without sounding preachy, we have made films that are inspirational. For instance, we’ve dug out stories from the childhood of freedom fighters – from Bhagat Singh to Mahatma Gandhi, and roped in actor Mukesh Khanna for this series, which is titled Hum Honge Kaamyaab. Apart from this, there’s another series titled Pathshala Gyan Mandir, in which actor Amit Pachori plays the lead role. Then we have addressed issues like drug addiction, disrespect of elders, and use of foul language in the film Yeh Kahan Aa Gaye Hum. We invited Mukesh Khanna for the inauguration of the festival and would bring in actors Akshaye Khanna and Amit Pachori for the festival that will continue till March 10,” says Umesh Bharadwaj, project head of the festival. “Seeing the popularity of the festival, we have set up another venue from January 25 in Sector 6 of the mela for the screening of films,” informs Bharadwaj.Actor Mukesh Khanna says, “We are not merely entertainers, but also have a responsibility towards society, which we are not fulfilling. An ethical films festival is something which should be appreciated as it helps in spreading values which the society is in dire need of.”