Thaindian News

Panaji, Nov 22 (IANS) Pakistani women will love her in “West is West” because she represents them in the film, actress Ila Arun said here Monday.

The actress is in Goa to attend the screening of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) produced film, which has been selected as the opening film for the 41st International Film Festival of India (IFFI) which gets underway Monday.

Ila, who plays Om Puri’s second wife in Andy DeEmmony “West is West”, said that films which put across the pain of women across the world, should be screened especially in Asian countries.

“It’s not just a movie for Pakistani women to watch, it’s for everyone,” Ila said, adding that her opposite in the movie, veteran Indian actor Om Puri was a “role model” for everyone.

Commenting on “West is West”, Ila said that the movie had already been showcased in three film festivals namely at Toronto, Abu Dhabi and London and she had received a wide range of feedback about the film.

“People have said that it is better than the earlier movie. Some say it is as good as ‘East is East’ (its prequel). Nobody said they were disappointed with the film at these festival screenings,” she quipped.

“For me it was a great platform, people who came to see the screening came with great expectations,” she further said.

Director Andy DeEmmony’s “West is West” also starred Om Puri and Jimmy Mistry, an actor of Indian origin. “East is East”, produced in 1999, was directed by Damien O’Donnel.

Set in Manchester of 1975, “West is West” deals with a father’s worry about his 15-year-old boy, who he believes is turning his back on his Pakistani heritage and therefore decides to take him to the country of their roots.

The movie will open the IFFI at a formal inaugural function attended by union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee and veteran Bollywood filmmaker Yash Chopra.