Marathi film ‘Astu’ draws crowd at film festival

KOLHAPUR: It was finally the weekend that worked wonders for the organizers of the second Kolhapur International Film Festival (KIFF), as the theatres opened to packed audience on Sunday. The trend continued on Monday evening too.
The evening shows of films received greater response compared to first two days of the festival. The Marathi film ‘Astu’ directed by Sumitra Bhave and Sunil Sukthankar received a house full response on Sunday and Monday.
Speaking to TOI, Chandrakant Joshi, head, Kalamaharshi Baburao Painter Film Society, said, “WE had expected a good turnout on Sunday evening for the film ‘Astu’. Even on Monday, we had to arrange for extra chairs at the two screens where the film was playing.”
College student Puja Patil had come to the film festival with her friends on Monday. “The Spanish movie Pan’s Labyrinth was amazing in terms of the story and the animation. Later, we also watched the Marathi movie Astu. We need more such festivals, I could not attend the film on the first two days due to my college. We are looking forward to watch more films in coming days.”
Homemaker Sapna Kulkarni said that she does not get time to attend such events, but with the overall arrangements she experienced at KIFF, she would want to definitely be present for the event.