Indian filmmaker Nila Madhav Panda's 'Halkaa', which made its world premiere at the 21st Festiva; International du Film Pour Enfants de Montréal Film (FIFEM), has bagged the Grand Prix de Montreal at the gala. The movie was selected among seven international children's films from different countries in the official competition of the festival. Panda issued a statement saying, “It's a great honour that 'Halkaa' won the top award at its world premiere screening. The film has already been invited to six international film festivals.”
The movie revolves around a slum child's heroism, and dreams. Pichku, the child protagonist, finds himself facing basic living problems. His dream is to make a toilet of his own, where he can enjoy his privacy and do the deed in peace. “India is one of the largest youth populated countries, but we hardly produce children's cinema which is an irony,” Panda said. He said he film can be called a sequel to his National Award-winning film 'I am Kalam'. “I am sure the audience will love this one as well. This is a family entertainer with amazing music from Shankar Ehsaan Loy.”
FIFEM festival director Jo-Anne Blouin said the film touched the jury. “The jury was unanimously touched and enchanted with 'Halkaa' and gave the top award to the film for the audacity of its subject matter, the opportunity for children to discover the daily lives of children in such a different society and for the 'joie de vivre' that overcomes adversity no matter what.”
