A Review of Showcasing the Premiere of a Konkani Film in Kuwait

International Premiere of 35mm Konkani Celluloid Film “TUM KITEM KORTOLO ASLO?”

The much anticipated e-publicized International Premiere of 35mm Konkani celluloid film “TUM KITEM KORTOLO ASLO” produced by Shamaz Films [Goa] was held on the 22nd October 2010, at the Cinescape Metro, owned & managed by Kuwait National Cinema Company (KNCC).

Kala Mogui Kuwait has done it for the second time in the history of Konkani cinema, if a recently released book "Konknni Cholchitram" by Isidore Dantas has a detailed account of 31 celluloid Konkani films, then the international release of “TUM KITEM KORTOLO ASLO?” can be considered a jewel 32nd celluloid Konkani film released in Kuwait - a place outside the Konkani world but which has over the past four decades has given a substantial boost to Goa and Mangalore-based Konkani artistes, singers, musicians and film producers.












The international premiere marked the 60th anniversary of Konkani cinema, when “MOGACHO ANVDDO” the first Konkani cinema was released in 1950. The celebration got started exactly at 3:15 pm with a thin crowd of a 300 seating capacity Cinescape Metro, a Dolby equipped sound system auditorium at Farwaniya governorate in Kuwait.
KMK President Domingos Araujo introduced Shri. S.K. Mohan, Second Secretary (Cultural), Embassy of India, Actor-Director-Producer, Smt. Sharon Mazarello who also has credits for singing & screenplay, her husband actor, singer & co-producer Shri. Wilson Mazarello who also penned all the lyrics for the film, both flown in specially for the occasion. The ceremony started with the lighting of the traditional lamp by the delegates on the diaz in the presence of Kuwait based film maker Shri T-Bush of T-Bush International Films and another Kuwait based Bollywood personality, stage mentor and the Director of Fankar Arts-Kuwait, Shri Arif Kazi.

The short and sweet celebration had Shri. S.K. Mohan in his speech praise Kala Mogui Kuwait for their efforts in bringing the Konkani cinema in this part of the world. When requested to say a few words Smt. Sharon Mazarello remarked “We were taken by surprise with Domingos Araujo’s approach to have an International Premier in the State of Kuwait. She also said Shamaz Films-Goa proudly boasts that the film happens to be the first 35mm celluloid Konkani film which is of the Goans, by the Goans, and for the Goans”.

The movie started on schedule, exactly at 3:30pm marking the time in the record books of the 35mm Konkani celluloid films, to be the first movie that is entirely shot in Goa and premiered in a cinema theatre outside the country, hence giving it a status of the first International Premiere of 35mm Konkani celluloid film premiered in Kuwait.



As publicized the movie is having all the ingredients, besides Domnic Dias’s cinematography and Balthazar Fernandes music, professional choreography, for the first time fire dancers, orchestra music, hilarious comedy and above all sparkling screenplay and dazzling direction. The movie opened with a title song “TUM KITEM KORTOLO ASLO?” a catchy dance sequence on the stage which kept the viewers spellbound. As it progressed the writer-director intelligently kept the audience glued to their seats till the end.


The story revolves round the newly wedded wife Shaina,(Sharon Mazarello) whose husband Johnny (Pradip Naik) is always away on long trips abroad neglecting his family life, lost in loneliness, Shaina bends a little too much on Sammy (Franky Gonsalves), a very good friend of Johnny. The story is very well written and a must to watch for all the families specially those who have their members working abroad.
Although the response for the film was not to the mark, the President of Kala Mogui Kuwait proudly boosts, “this International Premiere has given a much needed boost to the Konkani cinema by placing it on the global map as the first 35mm Konkani celluloid film premiered at an international arena. Also for the first time Konkani film lovers experienced online booking whereas at Cinescape Metro screen-1 recorded the first booking for two seats E-22 & 23”.
Kala Mogui Kuwait thanks each and every viewer who was witness to this history in the making. Kala Mogui Kuwait congratulates the crew and the members of “Tum Kitem Kortolo Aslo?” and wishes Shamaz films Goa a very big success. In a very special way, Kala Mogui Kuwait also thanks the Management and the Staff of Kuwait National Cinema Company (KNCC) for their overwhelming support and cooperation towards this endeavour.



Kala Mogui Kuwait acknowledges the Embassy of India, Jet Airways – the official carrier, Kuwait Continental Hotel – a hospitality partner, Gaspar Almeida, Kuwait dailies, weekly & web portals: Arab Times, Kuwait Times, Al-Watan, The Times, Gulf-Goans e-newsletter, Goa-world.com, indiansinkuwait.com, kuwaitsamachar.com, indyaq8.com, daijiworld.com, mangalorean.com, canaraworld.com, oheraldo, goachronicle.com, goanet.org, v-ixtt, T-Bush Films, among others.
The film will be released in Goa on 29th October 2010 at INOX – Panaji & OSIA – Margao.
Report by: Peter Rodrigues – KMK/PR
Photo courtesy: Lino G. Fernandes, Laurie Miranda, and Kala Mogui Kuwait.



Some comment by the Viewers:
Agnello A.S. Fernandes, President Navelim Youth Centre
“Tum Kitem Kortolo also” is an elegantly crafted piece of cinema with a bold theme but with its heart in right place in all departments especially in photography and background music score, though could have been better in many aspects. We thoroughly enjoyed the screening and the film. Congratulations to Sharon and Wilmix.
Fernando Rodrigues, Ribandar,
I enjoyed movie very much and very descent and very clear print too, I am a great fan of Konkani Movies and Dramas or any Konkani CD, VCD's I never fail to buy one for my huge collection. Kudos to Kala Mogui Kuwait for their bold step to put Konkani cinema on world map.