By Mikie Schofield
A Nottingham barrister and graduate film-maker has had his first documentary chosen to be shown at 100 festivals around the world.
Haresh Sood’s My Niece’s Big Fat Delhi Wedding has been selected to be shown at film festivals in New York, Paris and London.
The film’s trailer – praised by social media audiences for its feel-good vibe – has already won the Best Trailer category at the Barcelona Film Festival.
Inspired by the hit film Monsoon Wedding, the documentary says it demonstrates all the C-words associated with an Indian wedding: charisma, chaos, crying, colour, comedy and ceremonies, such as choora and caleeray.
The film will be premiered at the Arc Cinema in Hucknall, at Diwali, on November 4.
Sood earned a distinction on the MA Filmmaking course he completed at Sheffield Hallam University.
He said: “Film was one world I always had a passion to explore from childhood. Going to film school over the last two years has been the most amazing and incredible experience.
“I have to say a special thanks to my course director, film producer Colin Pons and filmmaker/tutor Saskia Wilson who encouraged me to pursue my dream. I must thank Will Cocker in particular, who is the finest editor.”
Filmed over ten days, Sood’s film gives an insight into the opulent and colourful Delhi lifestyle of his actress niece Nitasha Kohli-Arora, following her through her wedding to architect Mayank Arora.
Cast and crew will be at the world premiere screening of the film in Hucknall. The film will then be launched online on Paus.tv.
Colin Pons, who leads the MA Filmmaking course at SHU, said: “Haresh Sood has created that rare thing, a documentary that is both informative and hilariously funny. He is a real talent to look out for in the future.”
Filmmaker Sood is also a Nottingham-based barrister and a contributor to Millside Hospital Radio for Mansfield and Ashfield.
Some of the profits from the film My Niece’s Big Fat Delhi Wedding will be donated to the Little Princess Trust to which Sood often donates his hair, to make wigs for children who go through chemotherapy.
