Come June 2019 and it’s again a proud moment for the entire team of 2 Band Radio. Surprisingly, Ottawa Indian Film Festival, a leading world platform has shown interest in the film written acted and produced by Rahat Kazmi for worldwide digital premiere. This is the North American premiere of the film, as it has previously been premiered in U.K Asian Film Festival on April 6, 2019 at Watermans Art Centre, London.
Rahat Kazmi is quite delighted and excited with the news. Expressing his emotion, he said, “It is a great news for the entire team. We are honored by the invitation. We are expecting a wider audience for this beautiful film as it will be showcased on an international level as this is a North American premiere after all.”
OIFFA is Canada’s pre-eminent festival dedicated to Indian cinema. Now in its third year, the event is dedicated to cultivating an audience for Indian cinema and culture in Ottawa. It showcases Indian films, supports Indian filmmakers and promotes the diverse perspectives of the Indian diaspora. A five-day showcase of multi-genre Indian films, the Festival hosts a number of participating filmmakers as well as a roster of events, including a panel session, a special screening and the celebrated OIFFA VIP Lounge with Indian music and dance.
The full programme, film competitions and special events has been already announced and can be found on the official website of OIFFA. Tickets and passes for the event can be purchased online at www.oiffa.com/tickets-2019/. The screening of 2 Band Radio would take place on June 13, 2019 (Thursday) at 3:30 PM on Screen A at Cineplex Cinemas Lansdowne and VIP, 325 Marché Way, Unit 107 (Ottawa).
Produced in association with Tariq Khan Productions and Zeba Sajid Films, the movie-2 Band Radio is loosely based on Leo Tolstoy’s novel Quench the Spark, also translated as A Spark Neglected Burns the House.
In an era of television with a hundred music channels and internet providing live musical shows and a vast music collection, it is hard to believe what world would have been ages ago without all these facilities! This movie will take the audience back to an era into a village which saw a radio for the first time in their life. The movie showcases rivalry to acquire that radio followed by tragic incidents and sad realities.
The story is about two neighbors and their desire to acquire and show off a Radio. The satirical theme of the movie is depicted through both tragedy and comedy. It is based on a real-life incident, portraying a satire on the present generation which is running after luxuries at the cost of relationship and happiness. The cast entertains you while the plot will show you how the world is going blind due to greed and jealousy. It’s mix up of drama, comedy and action. The filmmakers have carried a very strong message throughout, same as Leo Tolstoy conveyed in his book, ‘To quench a spark before it becomes a fire.’
Jitendra Rai, an Indian actor, who has worked with many Hollywood stars, is debuting with this film in Bollywood. Other star casts include Pradhuman Singh of Tere Bin Laden fame, Zahid Qureshi, Ritu Rajput, who is from Himachal Pradesh and is also debuting with this movie, Miss India Tourism Sneha Jagiasi and Senior actress of National School of Drama Neelu Dogra in female lead. Besides, Rahat Kazmi would be seen in a negative role with Hussain Khan. Tariq Khan has also played an important role in the film.
Directed by debutant Saki Shah, the film has been written by Rahat Kazmi and Kunwar Shakti Singh, produced by Rahat Kazmi Films, Tariq Khan production and Zeba Sajid Films and co-produced by Riaan Rai Production U.K. Music in the film has been contributed by Samrat Sarkar, Assh K and Canada-based band member Assad Que, while the background music has been scored by Tuhin K Biswas.
Producers are planning to release the film in Indian and Singapore theatres in August this year.