Irrfan wins over Italians with Qissa, Paan Singh Tomar

December 11, 2014 - 4:12 AM IST

During the year gone by, he has wowed audience globally with The Lunchbox that has been traveling the world and finding appreciation, accolades and recognition at every quarter. Now with his Qissa, which is making rounds of the festival circuits, Irrfan Khan has won over Italians too. In the ongoing River to River Florence Indian Film Festival, which is being held in Florence, Italy, his film has just been screened and seen rousing reception for itself.

Confirms our source, "Yes, just like The Lunchbox, the idea is to take Qissa through festival route and gain patronage world over. The event is all the more notable since quite a lot of Irrfan's work is being put on display. His Paan Singh Tomar has been screened as well and though this is umpteenth screening of the film, the response is fabulous yet again. In fact every day, episodes of his HBO series In Treatment are screened as well."

What makes the festival special is the fact that Irrfan Khan has been invited as the Guest of Honour in this event which is spearheaded by Selvaggia Velo, who is the head and festival organizer. Her mission is to showcase independent and low-budget Indian films, and this is where Qissa makes the cut.

Says Irrfan, "The River to River Florence Indian film festival is the meeting of Arno and Ganges, and they meet through Cinema. As for the co-production, it is not just a mix of money. It's a mix of talents from everywhere that come together and try to create a story which has universal resonance. Festivals like these expose the opportunities for such collaborations. I feel honored to be in Florence. I feel at home. The best part is that I didn't choose Florence, the city chose me."

He is bound to be happy, considering the fact that he has also been felicitated by the Mayor of Florence Mr. Dario Nardella and handed over the keys to the city of Florence. "I knew that my job as an actor would one day offer me key to the heart of people. However I never knew I will be offered a key to a beautiful city like Florence as well. I am mesmerized by the beauty of Florence. In fact I don't feel like talking, I am just enjoying the silence," smiles Irrfan.

Adds Selvaggia, "I am extremely glad and honoured to have Irrfan as our 2014 Guest of Honour. At the opening evening, he said that he feels at home in Florence and that maybe in another life he was Italian; this made us even happier. I feel I was somewhere Indian, so this makes our two countries flowing from river to river".

Meanwhile, before the close of the event, Irrfan's The Namesake as well as his Piku co-star Deepika Padukone's Finding Fanny would be screened as well.