<p>Both children and films were relegated to the background as the organisers fumbled and stumbled through the evening in the presence of too many VIPs of various degrees.<br /><br />Filmmaker of the critically acclaimed film ‘Naanu Gandhi’ and President of Children’s India, Nanjunde Gowda was, however determined to be the star of the show. Gowda’s attempt to play host extraordinaire led to him making constant interruptions and deviations from the evening’s dignified and logical course. <br /><br />About 200 school children at the valedictory, for their part were excited, as only children can, at the sight of filmstars Prakash Raj and Pooja Gandhi who too were visibly put off by the interruptions. <br /><br />Also present were former Cabinet Minister and MLA Shobha Karandlaje and the Minister for Women and Child Welfare, P M Narendra Swamy.<br /><br />From actress Pooja Gandhi’s sudden departure (much to the disappointment of kids) to Nanjunde Gowda interrupting a Chinese filmmaker’s speech to, believe it or not, introduce the filmmaker the occassion was a complete mess.<br /><br />Gandhi to her credit though was gracious enough to oblige the kids with a few autographs and even sing a couple of lines from her blockbuster film ‘Mungaaru Male’. As it turned out, Gandhi’s impromptu rendition was the highlight of the evening for the kids.<br /><br />National Award Winning actor, Prakash Raj’s presence was completely overshadowed by the goings and comings on at the function. Raj, however took it upon himself to do some damage control as he personally greeted and thanked the filmmakers from China for being here. <br /><br />In between all the mayhem, he managed to get a message across to the government to make available ‘World Children’s Cinema’ to children here. Bureaucrats, minor celebrities and administrators arrived at the event in and left as abruptly, often in the middle of activity, and sure enough all were invited onto the overstocked podium. <br /><br />Amid all this, prizes were given away, a few child actors were honoured, clueless little tribal children danced, besides of course speeches by a couple of politicians and an actor-cum-bureaucrat. But the evening belonged mainly to one organiser, who outdid all his gaffes by asking for more money for the festival from the government during his welcome address. <br /></p>
<p>Both children and films were relegated to the background as the organisers fumbled and stumbled through the evening in the presence of too many VIPs of various degrees.<br /><br />Filmmaker of the critically acclaimed film ‘Naanu Gandhi’ and President of Children’s India, Nanjunde Gowda was, however determined to be the star of the show. Gowda’s attempt to play host extraordinaire led to him making constant interruptions and deviations from the evening’s dignified and logical course. <br /><br />About 200 school children at the valedictory, for their part were excited, as only children can, at the sight of filmstars Prakash Raj and Pooja Gandhi who too were visibly put off by the interruptions. <br /><br />Also present were former Cabinet Minister and MLA Shobha Karandlaje and the Minister for Women and Child Welfare, P M Narendra Swamy.<br /><br />From actress Pooja Gandhi’s sudden departure (much to the disappointment of kids) to Nanjunde Gowda interrupting a Chinese filmmaker’s speech to, believe it or not, introduce the filmmaker the occassion was a complete mess.<br /><br />Gandhi to her credit though was gracious enough to oblige the kids with a few autographs and even sing a couple of lines from her blockbuster film ‘Mungaaru Male’. As it turned out, Gandhi’s impromptu rendition was the highlight of the evening for the kids.<br /><br />National Award Winning actor, Prakash Raj’s presence was completely overshadowed by the goings and comings on at the function. Raj, however took it upon himself to do some damage control as he personally greeted and thanked the filmmakers from China for being here. <br /><br />In between all the mayhem, he managed to get a message across to the government to make available ‘World Children’s Cinema’ to children here. Bureaucrats, minor celebrities and administrators arrived at the event in and left as abruptly, often in the middle of activity, and sure enough all were invited onto the overstocked podium. <br /><br />Amid all this, prizes were given away, a few child actors were honoured, clueless little tribal children danced, besides of course speeches by a couple of politicians and an actor-cum-bureaucrat. But the evening belonged mainly to one organiser, who outdid all his gaffes by asking for more money for the festival from the government during his welcome address. <br /></p>
