Indian Film Festival Gala Night and Fashionably Broke at Saks!

Society with Ruchi

Houston finally concluded a week long celebration of Indian cinema with a celebrity gala held at the Hotel Sorella Ballroom at CityCenter, Houston on September 24, 2011.

After ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ made a mark at the Oscars some two years ago, Houston based film maker Sutapa Gosh felt that the time was right to give Houstonians a taste of Indian cinema. The film festival kicked-off with a reception party at CityCenter and showcased a few selected Indian films at Studio Movie Grill from September 20-24, 2011.

The Indian Film Festival of Houston is a non-profit organization devoted to creating a greater appreciation of Indian cinema and culture by show casing quality films. This was the Third Annual Indian Film Festival of Houston and the attempt was to bring the best films made by directors from all over the world. Paris, France based film director Prashant Nair’s film ‘Delhi In A Day’ won the best feature film. “It was very exciting to showcase my film here in Houston and I am thrilled with the response,” says Nair.

The festival was enjoyed by an international audience that featured question and answer sessions with directors, cast and the audience. The gala did not witness a very high attendance, however the idea was to promote Indian cinema art and culture. Present at the gala evening, Bollywood renowned actor (in villain role) Gulshan Grover was given a special recognition award for his outstanding comic performance in ‘Desperate Endeavors’. The film was directed by Salim Khassa. ‘In Search of God’ by Rupam Sarma won the best documentary award.

“I was never so excited about Houston until now. This festival has for sure made Houston a destination for art and cinema,” stated Grover.

Saturday evening, guests enjoyed the newly inaugurated Ballroom at Hotel Sorella that was glittering with a black and red décor with black chandeliers, the room definitely spoke of opulence.

The main highlight of the evening was the Bollywood dance performance by Rhythm India as they energized the quiet audience with their hip swinging tunes by A R Rehman.

Movers and shakers from the Indian community spotted at the event included Raj and Jugal Malani, Ash Shah, Ellen Goldberg, Cristal Montanez Baylor, Arzan Gonda, Yuki Rogers, Rathna Kumar, Consul General of Israel Meir Shlomo and others.

Rich and famous ladies decided to get fashionably broke on Wednesday night at Saks Fifth for the launch of B Brian Atwood Shoe Collection. Ladies in large numbers gathered to walk the red carpet for fall adorned in bright blues, rusts, and sparkles and in classic blacks. Of course it was an A List evening specially when the party is hosted by Saks and Heather and Lauren Pray. Guests sipped vodka and wine and browsed through Saks new fall collection that had fur coats on display with the highlight being on shoes. Brian Atwood is a shoe designer who created his label in 2001, a brand best known for tall stiletto shoes and boots.

This party was a sneak peak to fall with heavy emphasis on dark eye shadows and bright lipstick. Most popular amongst the Fashionistas Alexander McQueen Knuckle Dagger Python clutches and they also flaunted shoes by Christian Louboutin.