MUMBAI: The Films Division will be organising a film festival commemorating the 150th year of first war of independence. Titled ‘Swatantrata Filmotsav’ the festival will be on in Siri Fort Auditorium from 11 – 14 August, 2007, and would showcase our freedom struggle.

A total of 55 films, including 15 feature films and 40 documentaries will be screened during the four-day event. The films selected for screening include classics like Anand Math (directed by Hemen Gupta), Jhansi Ki Rani (directed by Sohrab Modi), Making of Mahatma and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose – A Forgotten Hero (directed by Shyam Benegal), Train to Pakistan (directed by Pamela Rooks) and Sardar (directed by Ketan Mehta). The festival also has a film on unknown freedom fighters.

The festival chronicles the history of the freedom movement. The very first revolt against the British, which was termed by oppressors as ‘Mutiny’ is visually presented as the inaugural film 1857 – The Beginning along with a magnum opus of yesteryears Jhansi Ki Rani – A Brave Femal Warrior by Sohrab Modi.