LAHORE: A festival of films by celebrated Indian filmmaker Shyam Benegal began here at the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan auditorium on Thursday with the screening of Mr Benegal’s debut movie Ankur.

A large number of people watched the film with great interest and later asked the director questions.

The four-day festival has been organised by the Faiz Foundation Trust. This is the third visit of Mr Benegal to Pakistan. He had previously visited Lahore on the invitation of the Faiz Foundation Trust in 1993 and 1996.

During his stay in Lahore, he is scheduled to deliver lectures at the Beaconhouse National University, National College of Arts and the Lahore School of Economics besides giving interviews to Pakistan Radio, Pakistan Television and a number of private channels.

Before the screening on Thursday, Mr Benegal briefly introduced Ankur to audience and narrated the difficulties he encountered during its making. He had no funds but was bailed out by a friend. It was the very first film for the now famous Shabana Azmi and most of the crew was inexperienced.