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www.newsindiatimes.com – that’s all you need to know Chicagoland Enjoys Film On Legendary Indian Musician Annapurna Devi M andala South Asian Performing Arts drew enthusiastic audiences for screenings of the film 6-A Akash Ganga, directed by Nirmal Chander, at FACETS in Chicago on October 25 and Hollywood Cinema inWoodridge on October 26. 6-A Akash Ganga is a documentary that explores the life and legacy of Annapurna Devi, the reclusive Indian classical musician and first wife of Ravi Shankar. Using rare archival footage and intimate interviews, Chan- der reveals a story of genius, devotion, and the quiet strength of a woman who lived entirely for her art. The film received the Best Documentary award at the 2024 Jagran Film Festival, Best Film at Film Southasia 2024, Best Indian Documentary Film at the 2024 Mum- bai International Film Festival, and feature documen- tary runner-up at the 2025 South Asian Film Festival of Montreal. Both screenings drew lively and engaged crowds, fill- ing the theaters and setting the stage for art, conversa- tion, and community, a press release fromMandala said. The Chicago event opened with welcoming remarks from Hiteshree Das, Mandala’s director of public art and programs, who reflected on the organization’s ongoing mission to foster cross-cultural dialogue through the arts. Dr. Madhuvanti Ghose, the inaugural Alsdorf Associ- ate Curator of Indian, Southeast Asian, and Himalayan Art, Arts of Asia, moderated a post-screening Q&A at each event, engaging in a conversation with director Chander. Audiences at both showings asked ques- tions about the film’s narrative, its musical and visual language, and the deeper creative process behind 6-A Akash Ganga. India’s Consul General in Chicago Somnath Ghosh and his wife, Anindita Ghosh attended the event. Chan- der’s wife Reena Mohan, the film’s editor, was present at both events. Partial support for these events was provided by Dr. Umang Patel and Paragi Patel, and Dr. Ashok and Nirmita Dholakia. The Board of Directors fromMandala Arts and India Development Service received guests and visiting art- ists, welcoming them on behalf of the organizations and promising a memorable experience for all who attended. Other organizations who supported Mandala in its initiative include South Asian Classical Music Society and India Development Service, as well as the Indian Consulate of Chicago. Mandala was founded by Artistic Director Pranita Nayar, and has received funding from the Joyce Foun- dation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Founda- tion, and the National Endowment for the Art. For more information visit mandalaarts.org . By a StaffWriter Entertainment News India Times (November 1, 2025 - November 7, 2025) November 7, 2025 27 PHOTO:Annapurna Devi Foundation,courtesyMandala South Asian Performing Arts Annapurna Devi. NFDC-Backed ‘A Teacher’s Gift’ To Be Screened At Tribeca Festival Lisboa 2025 T he NFDC-backed film ‘A Teach- er’s Gift’ has been officially selected for screening at the Tribeca Festival Lisboa 2025, scheduled for November 1 at The The- atre, Lisbon. An immigrant British South Asian story has received international recogni- tion over the past year, winning the Best British Asian Film for Bridging Cultures award at the 2025 UK Asian Film Festival. It was also nominated for Best Feature Film at the BAFTA and BIFAqualifying Iris Prize Film Festival inWales. Produced by Eric Ollerenshaw OBE, directed by Artur Ribeiro, and co-written by and starring Rajdeep Choudhury, A Teacher’s Gift follows the story of Rohan, a Hindi language teacher in London who develops an unexpected friendship with an Englishman. The film explores themes of identity, belonging, and cultural understanding, according to the press release. The cast includes Anthony Calf, Paula Lobo Antunes, Anjali Patil, Dhruv Sehgal, Virgilio Castelo, and Varun Buddhadev. Speaking about the selection, pro- ducer Eric Ollerenshaw OBE, who is also a former Member of the UK Parliament, said in a statement, “For an independent British film that started its journey in the UK with a predominantly South Asian crew, then received support from NFDC WAVES Film Bazaar, and is now selected for Tribeca, this has been an incredible journey.” At the Iris Prize Festival inWales, noted television producer, writer, and director Jackie Lawrence described the film as “beautifully atmospheric and a much-needed story from and for the South Asian diaspora.” The Tribeca Festival Lisboa, co-found- ed by actor and director Robert De Niro, brings the NewYork-based festival expe- rience to Europe. The 2025 edition will also feature appearances by Kim Cattrall, Giancarlo Esposito and Meg Ryan, along with the Portuguese premiere of Honey- joon, winner of the 2024 Tribeca Festival AT&T Untold Stories Award. The film’s selection adds to the grow- ing global presence of Indian and South Asian stories in international cinema circuits. -ANI PHOTO:COURTESY ANI Film poster. PHOTOS:courtesyMandala South Asian Performing Arts Madhuvanti Ghose (L) and Nirmal Chander during the post-screening Q&A. Mandala South Asian Performing Arts Founder and Artistic Director Pranita Nayar (L) with director Nirmal Chander.