FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jan. 9, 2018

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HONOLULU, HAWAI‘I—The 11th annual Bollywood Film Festival turns its lens on women—in front of and behind the camera—who are part of the world’s largest film industry. 

Along with Bollywood’s latest song-and-dance extravaganzas, the museum screens independent films that highlight issues Indian women face today, such as Lipstick Under My Burkha, an engaging dramedy directed by a woman (Alankrita Shrivastava) about women seeking sexual liberation in quiet, personal ways. One of the film’s stars, Plabita Borthakur, will take the stage following the film’s screenings on Jan. 14 and 16 to answer questions from the audience.

In addition, O‘ahu-based Indian dance troupe Aaja Nachle takes the stage on Jan. 20 to perform works that celebrate women in Bollywood. The group does its own choreography to Bollywood film songs and performs South Asian classical and folk dances, and creates its own fusion pieces that marry elements from a variety of styles and cultures.

The festival is presented by Indru and Gulab Watumull and the J. Watumull Fund. The museum thanks hospitality sponsor The MODERN Honolulu.

The Bollywood Film Festival is even the theme for Bank of Hawaii Family Sunday: Twirls and Swirls on Jan. 21, as well as the first ARTafterDARK of 2018—Kiss Kiss Bang Bhangra on Jan. 26. 

FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Opening reception: Saturday, Jan. 13 at 6 p.m.
The festival kicks off with a bang! Ticket includes a performance by Aaja Nachle Hawaii, an Indian buffet from Bombay Palace, and complimentary mehndi by Hauoli Henna and Touch of Henna Hawaii. Wine, beer, and soda available for purchase. Bareilly Ki Barfi screens at 7:30 p.m. $35 | $30 museum members 

Bareilly Ki Barfi
Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari. 2017. India. 123 min. Hindi with English subtitles.
Saturday, January 13 at 6 p.m.
Sunday, January 14 at 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 17 at 1 p.m.
In this polished rom-com-musical, pretty Bitti (Kriti Sanon) flies the family coop in a small town in search of excitement. She discovers a novel—in which the female protagonist is just like her. Bitti embarks on a quest to find the author, Pritam Vidrohi (Rajkummar Rao), with the help of the local printing press owner played by Ayushmann Khurrana (Shubh Mangal Savdhan).

Lipstick Under My Burkha
Directed by Alankrita Shrivastava. 2016. India. 116 min. Hindi with English subtitles.
Sunday, January 14 at 12 p.m. + 7 p.m.
Tuesday, January 16 at 1 p.m.
Four women age 18 to 55 live in small towns but dream big as they make a bid for sexual liberation through secret acts of rebellion in this entertaining dramedy. 
Special guest: Plabita Borthakur, who plays Rehana in the film, gives a Q+A following all screenings. 

Simran
Directed by Hansal Mehta. 2017. India. 124 min. English and Hindi with English subtitles. 
Tuesday, January 16 at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, January 23 at 1 p.m.
Scene-stealing Kangana Ranaut plays a 30-year-old Gujarati divorcee working as a chambermaid in Atlanta. When she goes to Las Vegas for a bachelorette party, she gets hooked on gambling and is robbed. Her solution takes her down a criminal path. Based on a true story, Simran is a hilarious black comedy. 

You Are My Sunday
Directed by Milind Dhaimade. 2016. India. 119 min. English, Hindi, and Konkani with English subtitles.
Wednesday, January 17 at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, January 24 at 7 p.m.
Audiences will get an engaging taste of young middle-class Mumbai life in this charming rom-com. Five buddies vent during their weekly Sunday soccer session at popular Juhu Beach. When an incident gets them banned from the sand, their quest to find a new pitch leads them on a path that takes them from boys to men. 

Mukkabaaz | The Brawler
Directed by Anurag Kashyap. 2017. India. 145 min. Hindi with English subtitles.
Thursday, January 18 at 1 p.m.
Friday, January 19 at 7 p.m.
Hunky Vineet Kumar Singh plays a low-caste boxer who falls for a Brahmin beauty. Part love story, part family saga, Mukkabaaz is India’s progressive answer to Rocky, while addressing caste inequality and corruption. 

A Gentleman
Directed by Raj & DK. 2017. India. 150 min. Hindi with English subtitles.
Thursday, January 18 at 7 p.m.
Friday, January 19 at 1 p.m.
This action-packed rom-com sees the lives of hardworking office drone Gaurav and secret government operative Rishi (both played by Siddharth Malhotra) collide in the most unexpected way. 

Aaja Nachle Hawaii: Essence—A Celebration of Women
Saturday, January 20 at 7:30 p.m.
Dance troupe Aaja Nachle Hawaii pays homage to the women who have shaped Bollywood over the years through performances that explore the essence of what it means to be a woman. 
$30 general | $25 museum members
$15 student/children tickets available for purchase in person at the box office. Students need valid ID.

Shubh Mangal Saavdhan
Directed by R.S. Prasanna. 2017. India. 119 minutes. Hindi with English subtitles. 
Tuesday, January 23 at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, January 24 at 1 p.m.
Thursday, January 25 at 1 p.m.
This remake of 2013’s Kalyana Samayal Saadham shines a much-needed light on a “gent’s problem” in India as a social stigma with a hilarious and heartwarming story about a young couple in love.

Pinky Beauty Parlour 
Directed by Akshay Singh. 2017. India. 130 min. Hindi with English subtitles.
Thursday, January 25 at 7 p.m.
Friday, January 26 at 1 p.m.
Pinky Beauty Parlour is an engaging, poignant look at color bias in Indian society. The differences in complexion between two sisters draw out repressed emotions that result in a tragedy. 
Special guests: Director Akshay Singh and producer Bahnishikha Das give Q+As at both screenings.

ALSO IN JANUARY

Carlos Barbosa-Lima
Friday, January 12 at 7:30 p.m.
This year marks the 60th anniversary of guitar virtuoso Carlos Barbosa-Lima’s solo concert debut at age 12 in São Paolo, where he was born. His program illustrates the guitar’s global influence.
$35 general | $30 museum members

The Road Movie
Directed by Dmitrii Kalashnikov. 2016. Belarus / Russia. 67 min. Russian with English subtitles.
Saturday, January 27 at 1 p.m. + 4 p.m.
Sunday, January 28 at 1 p.m. + 7 p.m.
Dmitrii Kalashnikov’s stunning compilation of footage from Russian dashboard cameras is a mosaic of asphalt adventures, landscape photography, and some of the craziest shit anyone has ever seen. (People who see this will never, ever rent a car in Moscow, should the occasion arise.)

Hawai‘i’s Spirits and Legends: ‘Ōlelo ‘Ino (Curses)
Saturday, January 27 at 7:30 p.m.
Lopaka Kapanui tells true stories of people who have put a curse on someone and have lived to regret it. Well, almost lived. 
$15 general | $12 museum members

The Breadwinner
Directed by Nora Twomey. 2017. Canada / Ireland / Luxembourg. 94 min.
Sunday, January 28 at 4 p.m.
Tuesday, January 30 at 1 p.m. + 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, January 21 at 1 p.m. + 7:30 p.m.
From the creators of the wondrous The Secret of Kells comes this animated feature about a young girl living under the Taliban regime. When her father is wrongfully arrested, 11-year-old Parvana cuts off her hair and dresses like a boy to support her family. The Breadwinner is an inspiring, luminously animated tale about the power of stories to carry us through dark times.

Doris Duke Theatre information:

The Doris Duke Theatre opens its doors on Kina‘u Street one half-hour before each film screening and concert.

Film tickets: Available at the theater door on the day of screening, beginning one half-hour before each showing, or online in advance. 

Film admission: $12 general admission; $10 museum members; free for children 17 and under at the door. 

Matinee Rewards Card: Pick one up at the theater box office. When theatergoers attend three matinees, they receive free admission to a fourth screening. Or they can bring three friends to a single matinee and receive free admission to a future screening. The free screening pass is valid for three months. 

Concession stand: In the lobby, visitors can purchase classic movie snacks and locally made goodies ($2-$6). Drinks include coffee, hot tea, Perrier, Bai, Bundaberg Ginger Beer, and bottled water ($2-$4.5). 

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About the Honolulu Museum of Art

One of the world’s premier art museums, the Honolulu Museum of Art presents international caliber special exhibitions and features a collection that includes Hokusai, van Gogh, Gauguin, Monet, Picasso and Warhol, as well as traditional Asian and Hawaiian art.

Located in two of Honolulu’s most beautiful buildings, visitors enjoy two cafés, gardens, and films and concerts at the theater. The museum is dedicated to bringing together great art and people to create a more harmonious, adaptable, and enjoyable society in Hawai’i.

Locations:

Honolulu Museum of Art: 900 S. Beretania Street
Honolulu Museum of Art Spalding House: 2411 Makiki Heights Drive
Honolulu Museum of Art School: 1111 Victoria Street
Honolulu Museum of Art at First Hawaiian Center: 999 Bishop Street
Honolulu Museum of Art Doris Duke Theatre: 901 Kinau Street (at rear of museum)

Website: www.honolulumuseum.org

Phone: 808-532-8700

Hours:

Honolulu Museum of Art: Tues–Sun 10 am–4:30pm; closed Monday.

Honolulu Museum of Art Spalding House: Tues–Sun 10am–4pm; closed Monday.

Admission (permits entry to both museums on the same day):

$20 general admission; $10 Hawai‘i residents and active duty military living in Hawai‘i; children 18 and under are free.