The festival opened with "Lapataa Ladies," also known as "Lost Ladies," which has been selected for the country's official entry for the upcoming Academy Awards early next year.
Directed by filmmaker Kiran Rao, the comedy revolves around two young newly-wed brides who are accidentally switched during a train ride on their way to their husband's homes.
The five other films being screened are "Baahubali: The Beginning," and "Baahubali 2: The Conclusion," "Dangal," "Kantara," and "Three of Us."
"Indian cinema has a rich history that dates back to the early 20th century. It is the world’s largest film industry, producing over 1,500 films annually," said Indian Ambassador to Seoul Amit Kumar at the opening ceremony of the festival.
"Indian films are celebrated for their thought-provoking narratives, powerful performances, and innovative storytelling, reflecting the diverse and vibrant tapestry of Indian culture," Kumar added.
Co-organizer Korean Film Archive, an institute dedicated to collecting and preserving films, expressed hope that the festival would allow South Korean moviegoers to broaden their cinematic horizons.
"One of our tasks is to introduce foreign films that are difficult to find places to watch here," Kim told AJP. "This is why we gladly accepted the embassy's proposal to hold a film festival together," said Kim Hong-joon, the archive’s chief.
Lee Ja-yeon, 37, who attended the festival, said she missed the chance to watch some Indian films at other festivals but is glad to have the opportunity to watch them here."
"I'm a huge fan of Indian movies because they are bold enough to pioneer new approaches, compared to other foreign cinemas, which tend to mostly rely on successful formulas," she added.
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