Bollywood acting dynasty turns out for London's Asian film festival

Amitabh Bachchan, wife Jaya Bachchan, son Abhishek Bachchan and his wife Aishwarya Rai will attend the opening gala of the 12^th London Asian film festival, which takes place tonight at The Sheraton, Park Lane.

Jaya Bachchan will be presented with a lifetime achievement award for her contribution to cinema the gala dinner, which is being hosted by The Road To Guantanamo actor Rizwan Ahmed and Neerja Naik, who stars in the festival’s closing film Life Goes On.

The festival, organised by not for profit organisation Tongues On Fire, will celebrate the achievements of Asian cinema, with screenings of over 30 films, including  the premiere of Jayabrato Chatterjee’s Lovesongs starring Jaya Bachchan about a family’s journey through three generations and British-Asian film An Act Of Terror, directed by Shahid Nadeem, set in Glasgow.

Highlights of the festival include an acting masterclass with Amitabh Bachchan’s actor son Abhishek Bachchan and a series of “Bafta interviews” with Bollywood film-makers including Indian director and screenwriter Shyam Benegal, whose film Well Done Abba featured at last year’s London Film Festival.

“This year’s Tongues on Firecouldn’t come at a better time. With My Name Is Khan smashing records at cinemas around the country to become the most successful Bollywood film in British box office history, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the achievements of Asian cinema,” said the festival’s director Pushpinder Chowdhry.