Punjabi film ‘Anhey Ghorhey Da Daan’ bags ‘Golden Peacock’ for best film in the 43rd International Film Festival of India held in Goa

Gurvinder Singh’s Punjabi film Anhey Ghorhey Da Daan (AGDD) bagged Golden Peacock, Certificate and cash prize of Rs 40 lakhs shared equally between the Director and Producer. National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) is the producer of the film.

Gurvinder Singh. 2009. photo by Amarjit Chandan

The Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Government of Goa conduct the festival jointly. The 43rd edition of IFFI was held in Panaji, Goa from 20 November to 30 November 2012. 
11-day extravaganza of films, discussions and press conferences on films came to an end with the screening of Meera Nair’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist in Goa ton 30th November. Governor of Goa Bharat Veer Wanchoo, Chief Minister of Goa, Manohar Parrikar, film stars Jackie Shroff, Shreyas Talpade, Payal Rohtagi, among others were present at the closing ceremony. The Chief Guest was Telugu actor Nandamuri Balakrishna. The Guest of Honour was award winning Australian Director Paul Cox. The festival started with the screening of Oscar Award winner Ang Lee’s Life of Pi.

The IFFI this year celebrated the centenary year of Indian Cinema by bestowing the ‘Centenary Film Award’ to Meera Nair’s The Reluctant Fundamentalist. This film was selected by a special jury panel for deftly showcasing the glory of cinema as a medium. It reflects a new paradigm in motion pictures in terms of aesthetics, technique and technological innovation. The award carries Silver Peacock, Certificate and a cash prize of Rs 10 lakhs.

The International Film Festival of India (IFFI), founded in 1952, is one of the most significant film festivals in Asia. Held annually in the beach town of Goa, in the Western Coast of the country, the festival aims at providing a common platform for the cinemas of the world to project the excellence of the film art; contributing to the understanding and appreciation of film cultures of different nations in the context of their social and cultural ethos; and promoting friendship and cooperation among people of the world.

Total 15 films were screened, including two Indian films AGDD - in Punjabi and a Bengali in the international competition section.