IFFK to pay homage to legendary artists

Thiruvananthapuram: The 26th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) will pay tribute to legendary actress KPAC Lalitha and filmmaker K S Sethumadhavan, along with other artists and technicians in the film fraternity who passed away recently.
This year, six films will be showcased in the homage section to honour eight artistes, including Bengali filmmaker and poet Buddhadeb Dasgupta, actor Dilip Kumar, the ‘Nightingale of India’ Lata Mangeshkar; actor-screenwriter Madampu Kunjukuttan; actor-director P Balachandran, and scenarist Dennis Joseph.
‘Shantham’, directed by Jayaraj, will be screened in memory of KPAC Lalitha, and Madampu Kunjukuttan. The ‘Other Side’ (Maruppakkam) written and directed by K S Sethumadhavan, ‘Ivan Megharoopan’ written and directed by P Balachandran, and ‘New Delhi’ written by Dennis Joseph, are the other films that will be screened in the homage category.
‘Mughal-E-Azam’ will be screened as a tribute to Dilip Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar. ‘Neem Annapurna’, directed by Buddhadeb Dasgupta, will also be showcased in the homage category.
Minister for cultural affairs Saji Cherian will inaugurate the distribution of delegate passes for the 26th IFFK at 2.30 pm on Wednesday at Tagore Theatre, the main venue of the event. The first pass and delegate kit will be received by popular actor Saiju Kurup.
FFSI regional secretary K G Mohankumar, department of cultural affairs, principal secretary Rani George, Kerala State Chalachitra Academy chairman Ranjith, academy vice-chairman Premkumar and secretary C Ajoy, will be present on the occasion.
Regular distribution of passes will begin on March 17 from 8.30 am. Twelve counters have been allotted for the distribution of the delegate kits. Delegates should carry their ID proof to receive their passes. Special counters will be open for senior citizens and the differently abled.
Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the minister flagged off a KSRTC double decker bus adorned with IFFK posters, details of the festival and venues. It will conduct services along the main routes as a promotion of the festival. The first trip was along the MG road.