Eng version to release in UK

New Delhi, May 20 (UNI) Even as films like 'Guru', 'Lage Raho Munnabhai' and 'Dosar' represent at Cannes the new "creative burst" in Indian cinema which is in focus at the 60th edition of the prestigious film festival, being showcased at the ''Mecca of Global cinema'' there are a series of films made on hitherto untouched subjects.

Unveiled by UTV Motion Pictures at the 60th edition of the Cannes film festival this weekend were 'Goal' and 'Jodha Akbar', two films reflecting the "new vibrancy" that Indian cinema has come, to deal with hitherto untouched themes and subjects, lending it a much needed diversity, UTV sources said.

At a glittering function at Cannes on Friday night, with Bollywood actors John Abraham and Bipasha Basu, UTV CEO Ronnie Screwvala also announced the re-release of 'Rang De Basanti' in UK in English version, under the name of 'Colour of Sacrifice'.

The film, which has been re-edited, will be released in select theatres and on DVD.

It was the first time that 'Goal' and 'Jodha Akbar' were showcased before the media and the public. Scheduled to release across the world in 2007, 'Goal' and 'Jodha Akbar' are two of UTV's "tent pole" projects.

Dealing with a "hitherto untouched" love story between Mughal prince Akbar and his queen Jodhabai, 'Jodha Akbar', featuring one of the hottest stars of Bollywood Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai, is one of the most awaited films of 2007. The film promises to be a classic entertainer after the extensive research that the entire team has put in bringing alive on celluloid the life of the historic characters.

Also screened on the occasion was a trailor of Jodha Akbar which received a huge round of applause.

Trade sources said at least three distributors of Indian films in South Africa, Germany, and Poland expressed interest in the film.

The other film 'Goal', featuring John Abraham and Bipasha Basu in lead roles, is a sports action drama based on an Asian soccer league team. The film has been shot entirely in the UK.

"Goal" stars Bipasha Basu, Arshad Warsi and Boman Irani. In it, John plays Sunny Bhasin, a UK-born Indian who plays for a Southall football club. Speaking on the occasion, UTV CEO Ronnie Screwvala said Indian cinema was changing.

"Indian cinema has of late been dealing with new concepts and innovative story telling techniques,''he said.

On the occasion, he also announced the release of English version of 'Rang De Basanti' for the international market.

Called 'Colour of Sacrifice', the English version of the film would be of two hour and five minute duration and would be released in UK later this year.

"Both 'Goal' and 'Jodha Akbar' have been positioned as international projects with a universal appeal." Says Sidharth Roy Kapur, EVP-Marketing, Distribution and Syndication, UTV.

''Indian films have always raised the curiosity factor in the west. The new wave of Indian cinema has been widely acknowledged and welcomed across the globe which is a great positive for us,''he said.

He also said in the coming days, UTV would display its entire film catalogue at Cannes which includes blockbusters like 'Swades', Pradeep Sarkar's 'Parineeta', Mahesh Manjrekar's 'Viruddh', Priyadarshan's 'Chup Chup Ke', Farhan Akhtar's 'Don', Vishal Bhardwaj's 'Blue Umbrella' and 'Rang De Basanti'.

More UNI