STUDENTS GET A PRE-SAIFTA TREAT
By Nushera Soodyal
Twenty one Durban University of Technolgy Journalism students were invited to the Suncoast Casino Wednesday to view the movie “Shootout at Lokhandwala”, a 2007 Hindi crime thriller film hosted by the South African Indian, Film and Television Awards (SAIFTA).
The DUT students, among other prestigious universities, viewed a true life story directed by Apoorva Lakhia which is about a shootout series based upon the shootout and killings that happened in 1991 at the Lokhandwala Complex. These series of events that include a real-life gun battle between gangsters and Mumbai Police resulted in the killing of a countless number of policemen and five notorious gangsters.
The movie is played by international stars like Vivek Oberoi,Sanjay Dutt,Suniel Shetty, Amitabh Bachchan and Arbaaz Khan.
On the 16th of November 1991, A.A. Khan(Dutt) additional commissioner of police, attacked the Lokhandwala Complex with a force of around 400 armed policemen. Dreaded gangster Maya Dolas (Oberoi) was hiding in the complex with his gang.
The cinema was filled with students who were given popcorn, coke and water to enjoy as they watched the extreme thriller. They shared laughs, screams and danced along to the Bollywood songs in the two and a half hour film.
“Great movie. Props to the Director. Great and believable locations, casting was on point.” said Sinenhlanhla Mthembu, a journalism student at DUT.
- Cast members Ravi Gossain, Sunil Shetty, Tusshar Kapoor and director Apoorva Lakhia
When the movie ended, it received a standing ovation. Students then were given a break and returned for a 30 minute question and answer session.
Students were surprised on return as the Director Apoorva Lakhia and cast members Sunil Shetty and Tusshar Kapoor made special appearances and joined in the question and answer session.
The students who were mostly from the Journalism programme were given the opportunity to ask questions and many had different points of view. Their questions were answered and students were invited to watch the movies prequel again at an afternoon session.
When asked if she would watch the movie again Mthembu said,”No. Once was enough, especially because it wasn’t open ended.”
The SAIFTA will take place on Friday September 6 at the International Convention Centre (ICC
