Arfi Lamba’s Shortfilm ‘The Idiot’ has been selected for the 39th Cairo International Film Festival

Bollywood Actor Arfi Lamba, who made his debut in the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire (2008), is excited that his short film on minorities ‘ The Idiot’ has been selected for the 39th  Cairo International Film Festival 2017 which is very prestigious.

It will be screened on 27th November in Cairo International Film Festival. The 18-minute short, which is directed by Ruchi Joshi and Sriram Ganapathy is Inspired by a true events, the short has been filmed entirely in black-and-white with Lamba playing the title role (in and as The Idiot).  A political satire, the film touches upon the issue of Islamophobia and the directors have rightly used dark humour to tell a ‘serious’ tale, which exposes the bigotry of a society fed on religious stereotypes and paranoia. “I am glad that I could be a part of a film that tackles Islamophobia,” says Lamba, who has been part of acclaimed theatre productions before foraying into films.Meanwhile, director duo Ruchi and Sriram, too are ecstatic about the film’s selection at the prestigious international film festival. ‘We are proud to announce that our film ‘The Idiot’ (‘Murakh’) has been selected in the ‘International Cinema of Tomorrow’ competition section of the 39th Cairo International Film Festival.

Cairo International Film Festival is one of the oldest and the most respected film events in the Africa and Middle East region that brings together different cultures and voices on one stage. It is a film festival that combines history, culture and modernity to create a palette that entices us, challenges our preset notions and widens our horizons. It gives voice to those at home who have been silenced and it invites voices from the world beyond to set stage for new debates, questions and conversations. We could not have found a better platform to talk about the issues of religious intolerance addressed in our film than the wonderful Cairo International film festival. We are truly humbled by this wonderful news’ says Director Ruchi Joshi.

Lamba’s company Bombay Berlin Film Productions has co-produced The Idiot.