Nila Madhab Panda’s ‘Halkaa’ Screened At Montreal Film Festival

Bhubaneswar: Odia filmmaker Nila Madhab Panda’s recent flick ‘Halkaa’ was premiered at 21^st Festival International du Film Pour Enfants de Montreal Film Festival (FIFEM). The festival which began on March 3 will continue till March 11 in Montreal, Canada. Panda’s ‘Halkaa’ was screened on March 8, and was competing with six other international children’s films. The film stars child actor Tathastu as Pichku, and his parents portrayed by Ranvir Shorey and Paoli Dam.

A unique take on children’s film, the film essays the aspirations and dream of nine-year old Pichku who lives in the oldest slum of Delhi.  Another attraction of the movie is the film’s music, which has been scored by Bollywood musical trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.

Jointly produced by Akshay Kumar Parija and Nila Madhab Panda in association with Shiva Nadar Foundation.

“I am overwhelmed with the selection of the film to have world premiere. I have tried to express words like ‘fantasy’, ‘dream’, ‘aspiration’ in a child’s term as a nine-year-old can imagine in a complicated adult’s world. That is the thrust of the story,” says Panda.

His last released Hindi film ‘Kadvi Hawa’, a film on the adverse impact of climate change had also received appreciation from cinema lovers.