this year’s indian film festival of los angeles was all about films(!!), fun, food and famous stars. from meeting the beautiful-and-stronger-than-ever lisa ray to dancing to the beat of the dhol, neha sarin shares with us her unique cultural experience at the 8th edition of iifla.
There were butterflies in my tummy, as I braced myself for the red carpet experience – one that had always seemed to be a scene in a faraway land. But now that I was here, it seemed too close for comfort. On my way to the venue, the suave ArcLight Cinemas, located at the famous Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, it started drizzling. Within minutes it was pouring heavily. Travelling with one of the organisers of the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA), whom I had befriended while desperately trying to register myself last minute, I hoped the rain wouldn't dampen the evening.
A few last minute glitches did crop-up at IFFLA this year, but were handled smoothly by the people behind the scenes, all dressed for the occasion in traditional Indian attire. The red carpet was rolled out in an open courtyard but it had to be dragged indoors, thanks to the untimely rains. As the evening progressed, and expensive perfume filled the air, hordes of known and deserving faces sashayed down the carpet. As they smiled and posed, members from the media hurriedly shot questions at the celluloid heartthrobs even as the furious clicking of the cameras drowned the Indian music in the background. Amongst the first few to show up were Mary Murphy (“So You Think You Can Dance”), Jeff Doucette (“Desperate Housewives”) and Aditya Bhattacharya (“Raakh Redux”). Christina Marouda, IFFLA’s Executive Director and the creator of this magical event, carrying an off-shoulder black gown with absolute finesse, and Arnold Peter, IFFLA’s Chair of Board, in an elegant embroidered black suit, mingled and exchanged pleasantries with their guests.
There were butterflies in my tummy, as I braced myself for the red carpet experience – one that had always seemed to be a scene in a faraway land. But now that I was here, it seemed too close for comfort. On my way to the venue, the suave ArcLight Cinemas, located at the famous Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, it started drizzling. Within minutes it was pouring heavily. Travelling with one of the organisers of the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA), whom I had befriended while desperately trying to register myself last minute, I hoped the rain wouldn't dampen the evening.
A few last minute glitches did crop-up at IFFLA this year, but were handled smoothly by the people behind the scenes, all dressed for the occasion in traditional Indian attire. The red carpet was rolled out in an open courtyard but it had to be dragged indoors, thanks to the untimely rains. As the evening progressed, and expensive perfume filled the air, hordes of known and deserving faces sashayed down the carpet. As they smiled and posed, members from the media hurriedly shot questions at the celluloid heartthrobs even as the furious clicking of the cameras drowned the Indian music in the background. Amongst the first few to show up were Mary Murphy (“So You Think You Can Dance”), Jeff Doucette (“Desperate Housewives”) and Aditya Bhattacharya (“Raakh Redux”). Christina Marouda, IFFLA’s Executive Director and the creator of this magical event, carrying an off-shoulder black gown with absolute finesse, and Arnold Peter, IFFLA’s Chair of Board, in an elegant embroidered black suit, mingled and exchanged pleasantries with their guests.
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