At the 7th Kara Film Festival in Karachi, two Indian movies including Nandita Das’s directorial debut ‘Firaaq’ and a documentary Superman of Malegaon have won the Ciepie awards.

Bollywood, which has been an important part of ‘KaraFilm Festival’ each year since its beginning, did not attend this year’s celebrations because of Mumbai attacks. But, Nandita Das, who is famous in Pakistan for her character in ‘Ramchand Pakistani’, along with ace film maker Mahesh Bhatt, attended the festival.

On getting the award, an elated Nandita said that she was really delighted at the superb response her movie had got, and the citation that the jury members gave, the reports said.

Produced by Percept Picture Company (PPC), Firaaq is an India film presenting sectarian aggression as an experience of common people after communal riots in Gujarat in 2002.

Yet to be released in India, Firaaq deals with the impact of violence on human psyche and relationships,

Firaaq, which picked up the Best Feature Film award, was screened two-times in the 12-day festival. Pakistani telefilm ‘Burns Road Ki Niilofer’ received two awards for best screenplay and best female supporting actress.

The Ciepie was given to six movies including two documentaries ‘Superman of Malegaon’ (India), and ‘Kesan Lapsi’ (Finland), two short films with one for Best Animated Film awarded to ‘Even Pigeons Go to Heaven’ (France).

‘Match Factor’ took away the best Short Action Film award.

Faiza Ahmed Khan is the director of Superman of Malegaon, a spoof on superman films.

Rasheed Naz, who played a vital role in ‘Khuda Kay Liye’, received best actor in a supporting role award, while Rashid Farooqui got the special jury award for ‘Ramchand Pakistani’.

While speaking at the festival, Mahesh Bhatt stated that such festivals help in filling up the gap between the two neighbours.

He also said that he was at a Karachi shop when a guy approached him to ask for help with his neurologically disabled brother.

“The guy asked for help in contacting a neurosurgeon in Mumbai, and I immediately punched in the number and let them set up a possible meeting. This was exactly how film festivals help brings the people of different countries together,” Bhatt added.

Talking about his meeting with well-known ghazal singer Mehdi Hasan, Mahesh said that neither he nor Hasan would forget the bonds formed during their meeting.