Famous Fan Cameron Bailey: TIFF 2012: "It is a privilege to see Sridevi"

Bollywood's biggest fan:  Cameron Bailey

The Toronto International Film Festival will showcase its largest Indian presence in 37 years. Indira Kannan talks to Cameron Bailey, the man behind it all. Most people in India have never heard of him. But Cameron Bailey, the 48-year-old artistic director of the Toronto International Film Festival or TIFF, may be the strongest champion of Indian cinema on the global circuit. In recent years, TIFF, more than any other major global film festival, has boasted a rich line-up of Indian films from various genres. This fall, it has upped the stakes further and from September 6 to 16, will showcase its largest Indian presence ever in its 37 years. 

“We’re now seen as a leader in this field, in bringing Indian cinema to the world every year,” says Bailey in an interview in Toronto. 

His big catch this year is the world premiere of Gauri Shinde’s English Vinglish, the comeback vehicle for Sridevi. Bailey had been tracking the film for several months, and during a visit to Mumbai in early July he was able to view it, although it was not yet finished. 

“It felt like a real privilege to see Sridevi back on screen after so long, and being as charming a screen presence and as sophisticated an actor as she ever was. As soon as the screening was done, I said I want to have this film in Toronto,” says Bailey. 

....Sridevi is expected to attend TIFF this year, although Bailey won’t confirm her attendance until the official announcement. 

TIFF is also hosting the Asian Film Summit, billed as a networking and business opportunity for players from the Asian and Western film industries to meet each other, and Bailey promises a prominent Indian presence at this event as well. 

By Indira Kannan 

Aug 18, 2012, 

00:15 IST 

From Business Standard.com