Amitabh Bachchan has been asked to head an Indian film festival in Brazil

While he has attended film festivals across the world, we’ve been informed that Amitabh Bachchan has now been offered to head an Indian film festival in Brazil. Apparently, the senior actor has been invited by the Indian Consulate in Brazil to promote Indian cinema in the country, in partnership with the Brazilian Government.

An insider reveals, “The motive behind the move is to cement relations between the two countries through the field of cinema, and to showcase the rising popularity of Indian cinema in Brazil and the rest of Latin America. They wish to showcase Indian movies in Rio De Janerio and Belo Horizonte in Brazil.”

Bachchan confirmed the news, saying that this offer came about after his last trip to Brazil during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. “This invitation has come from the Indian Consulate in Minas Gerais in Belo Horizonte, a prominent city in Brazil. The Hon. Consul General of India is a Brazilian, Mr Elson de Barros Gomes jr. We met him during the FIFA World Cup, and he was the most generous host. He and his family are great admirers of India, and he feels that the Indian film industry should have a formal representation, in the shape of a seminar, to promote Indian cinema in Brazil, and to have a festival, which brings not just some prominent films, but also prominent stars connected to our industry. Quite obviously, therefore, this initiative bodes extremely well for us — a fresh and a new market opens up,” says Bachchan, adding that he’s “most certainly” considering the opportunity.

Next up, Big B, who is currently pleased with the success of his recent release, Piku, is looking at discussing the offer with industry folk, and his family. He says, “I have discussed it with the family, and shall soon seek the advice and inputs of other members of the industry to bring this to fruition. Any opportunity that the Indian film industry gets to expand its reach and horizon must be looked upon with great expectation. I am certain that with the interest shown, there can and will be an exposure that can only benefit the industry.” We’re told that Bachchan has been requested to head the festival and even choose the films that could potentially be part of the event. However, Bachchan says that it’s not all him. He explains, “It is not my film festival. It is a festival for the entire industry. The choice of films, therefore, should ideally be done by a select committee. I am not accomplished enough to make any suggestions, but I am certain that with the right people at the helm of such an effort, an initiation can be made, which will open itself to greater participation, and for the betterment of our industry.”