film festival

New Delhi, July 23 (UNI) After a week of playing truant with the audiences whole of last week when, barring a Manisha Koirala or a Anurag Kashyap, none of the stars from the tinsel world made an appearance at the eight Asian film festival, Saturday saw a host of celebrities from the world of Bollywood descend on the Siri Fort complex.

Just when cinema buffs had given up all hopes to 'catch a glimpse' of any Bollywood star at the Asian film festival, which concludes this evening, they were suddenly showered with the presence of stars like Urmila Matondkar, Raima Sen, Shyan Munshi, Jimmy Shergill, Sanjay Suri and yesteryear's Bollywood heartthrob Shashi Kapoor.

Actors Shyan Munshi and Raima Sen were here in the connection with the screening of their film 'The Bong Connection', a hilarious and passionate look at the Bengali community worldwide.

Pleasantly surprised at the huge crowd that thronged the Siri Fort for the screening of the film, actor Raima Sen said,''it is heartening to witness such an encouraging response to one's film by a discerning crowd thronging the festival.'' Also present on the occasion were the film's director Anjan Dutt, who earlier made the Hindi feature film 'Bada Din' in 1997.

Shyan Munshi, who plays Andy, a young Bengali musician who returns to Kolkata in search of his roots, was here along with his actor wife Piya Roy Chaudhry, who also features in the film.

The day also witnessed yesteryear's Bollywood star Shashi Kapoor make an appearance at the Asian film festival.

Speaking to mediapersons, the actor, who was here to catch up with some good films being screened at the festival, expressed elation over the fact that films by talented young and upcoming filmmakers were finally finding an outlet at the Asian film festival.

''There is not much of good cinema being made in the country. So, if some filmmakers are attempting good films, they should be encouraged by showcasing at forums like the Asian film festival.'' The evening saw the glamorous Urmila Matondkar make an appearance at the Osians' Cinefan along with actors Jimmy Shergill and Sanjay Suri in connection with the world premiere of their latest film 'Bas Ek Pal', directed by talented young filmmaker Onir. Speaking on the occasion, Sanjay Suri, who incidentally hails from Delhi, said it was a homecoming for him every time he came to Delhi considering that it was his first home.

''However, this visit is all the more special considering that my latest film is being screened at the Asian film festival before a discerning audience of cinegoers,''Sanjay said.

Another star of the film , Juhi Chawla, was, however, not present due to here engagements in Mumbai and would be reaching Delhi this morning.

UNI AR SP GC1129