Indo-Bangladesh joint production, bagged Golden Peacock Award

Bengali filmmaker Gautam Ghose's film Moner Manush (The Quest), an Indo-Bangladesh joint production, bagged the coveted Golden Peacock Award for the Best Film at the 41st International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2010.

The film is a saga of the life and times of Lalan Faquir and his liberal sect whose message of tolerance and secularism is becoming most relevant in today's world.

The 11-day festival concluded on Thursday with the screening of the French film The Princess of Montpensier, directed by Bertrand Tavernier, premier French director and screenplay writer.

The Silver Peacock Award for the Best Director went to Susanne Bier of Denmark for her film In a Better World. Just Another Love Story from India and The Boy from New Zealand were the joint winners of the Special Jury Award.

Mr. Ghose received the Golden Peacock in the presence of Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Choudhury Mohan Jatua, Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat and National Award Winner Saif Ali Khan who was the chief guest.

The Rs. 40 lakh cash prize was shared by Mr. Ghose and producers of the film: Gautam Kundo (India), Habiburahaman Khan and Faridureza Saqar (both from Bangladesh). Reacting to the award, Mr. Ghose said, “I thank the distinguished Jury for the endorsement of the message of tolerance in a very intolerant society.”
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