WEB DESK
A Kannada Film festival was inaugurated today at Tharangani Cinema Hall in Colombo. High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Gopal Baglay, Sri Lankan Minister for Mass Media Dr. Bandula Gunawardena, and Minister for Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayake participated in the inaugural ceremony. The film festival featured a delegation from Kannada Film industry led by eminent film director Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar.
Speaking at the event, Dr Gunawardena said the continuous social and cultural bond between the two countries has strengthened with time. He said that the film industry of India is a leading medium of entertainment in Sri Lanka. He also praised the regional film industries in India and said that cinema lovers have not had much opportunity to appreciate regional films. He thanked Nagathihalli Chandrashekhar for sharing his experiences with Sri Lankan students in the recently held film workshop.
Mr. Chandrashekhar said this was a rare occasion to interact with Sri Lankan students through a workshop and screening of his films. He said that Kannada Film industry produces 250 to 300 films every year and has become the 4th largest in the country in 2022. He appreciated the potential of Sri Lanka which boasts of beautiful locations. Mr. Chandrashekhar invited film students from Sri Lanka for a workshop in Bengaluru.
Kannada films like America America, Ishtakamiya, Mataad Mataad Mallige, and Kottreshi Kanasu were screened at the film festival.