'Great Shamsuddin Family' to close Indian Film Festival of LA
What's the story
The Great Shamsuddin Family, a heartwarming family comedy-drama, will be the closing film of the 24th Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA), reported PTI. Directed by Anusha Rizvi and presented by the makers of Peepli Live, it will be screened on April 26. The movie was released on JioHotstar in December last year and features a star-studded cast including Kritika Kamra, Purab Kohli, Farida Jalal, and Shreya Dhanwanthary.
Director's statement
Rizvi on her film's selection at IFFLA
Rizvi shared her thoughts on the film's selection for IFFLA. She said, "The Great Shamsuddin Family comes from a deeply personal place, shaped by the chaos, contradictions, and warmth of families we all recognize." "To have the film close at a festival like IFFLA, which champions bold and authentic South Asian voices, feels incredibly overwhelming and rewarding." "It's deeply moving to see a story so rooted in our everyday lives travel across geographies and find resonance with audiences everywhere."
Actor's insight
Kamra on the film's journey
Kamra, who plays Bani Ahmed in the film, called it an "incredibly special and emotional experience." She said, "She is fiercely independent yet deeply tied to her family, constantly navigating love, chaos, and expectations, something so many of us relate to." "The warmth the film has received on JioHotstar has been truly overwhelming, and it means so much to see our story now being celebrated on a global stage at IFFLA," she added.
Film overview
Here's everything about the movie
The Great Shamsuddin Family follows the story of Bani, who is under pressure to meet a crucial deadline while her home is in disarray. The film's narrative explores her struggle to balance a 12-hour writing marathon with a family crisis. The ensemble cast also includes Juhi Babbar, Sheeba Chadha, Dolly Ahluwalia, Natasha Rastogi, and Nishank Verma.