As part of the India Now festival lasting till September 2007, a free screening of Frank Osten's silent film, A Throw of Dice (Prapancha Pash), will be screened in Trafalgar Square on 30 August 2007.  | Nitin Sawhney |
Renowned composer, Nitin Sawhney has created a special score to accompany the film which has already been digitally restored by the BFI National Archive. Nitin will be performing live with the London Symphony Orchestra on the day of the Trafalgar Square screening. Based on the gambling episode from the Mahabharata, the film, A Throw of Dice, tells the story of Ranjit and evil Sohan, two kings with a passion for gambling and in love with the same woman, Sunita. When Ranjit incurs heavy losses through gambling, he gives up his crown and his bride-to-be (Sunita). He then becomes a servant to Sohan. But a twist of fate means Sohan's evil ways are exposed and he hurls himself off a cliff to his death. As for Ranjit and Sunita, they are reunited and fall in love. The film is reported to have used over 10,000 extras, 1,000 horses and 50 elephants provided by the royal houses of Jaipur, Udaipur and Mysore.  | A Throw Of Dice |
German director, Frank Osten is considered by many, one of the most talented directors of all time whilst DJ, composer and artist, Nitin Sawhney, has written over 25 film scores to date including Mira Nair's recent release in Shropshire and Midlands, Namesake. For those who cannot make it to the London screening can get a chance to see Nitin Sawhney performing live with the screening of the film on Saturday 27 October at Symphony Hall, Birmingham. Tickets now on sale at the box office. India Now festival would not be complete with the glamour and glitz of Bollywood as it arrives to London when the Fountain Court at Somerset House hosts the world premiere of the film, Chak De India. Directed by Shimit Amin (of Ab Tak Chhappan fame), Shah Rukh Khan plays the role of a hockey player who returns to the game to coach the women's hockey team as they prepare for the World Cup in Australia. Vidya Malvade co-stars as a young player whose parents refuse to let her join the team. The screening is said to start at 9.15 p.m. News feed by Manish Gajjar
BBC Bollywood Correspondent | 
