American Student's film on Bollywood wins award

"The Bombay Project", a final year project by two Amrecican film students David Kahn and Dwight Schultz has generated a lot of curiousity in the world of independent filmmakers by winning a major award meant for upcoming filmmakers.

The one hour long film depicts the story of Mike, played by Dwight an American film student who is sent to India against his wishes to assist a graduate student, Rahul, who is making a Bollywood movie. In the process he discovers the magic of India and falls in love with a Preeti, a Bollywood actress played by Maya Singh of Acton. Tension builds as Preeti’s parents arrange a marriage for their daughter with Rahul who has become Mike’s friend.

What starts as a 'conventional' independent film evolves into a full fledged Bollywood spectacular, complete with songs and dances. However Mike's journey can be seen as a commentary on the socio-cultural role of film in India. Bollywood is a powerful and complex force; it has captivated billions of people across the globe, but in reality, as Mike finds out, it is nothing more than a system of illusions.

Both Dwight and Kahn created "The Bombay Project" as a joint honors thesis project for Connecticut College and Syracuse University and has won them Connecticut College’s most prestigious award, the Oakes and Louise Ames Prize, awarded annually to one graduate for outstanding work on an honors thesis.

The project which is intended for educational purposes has been released directly on DVD.