At a gala premiere in Mumbai, Sudhir Pragjee, South African executive producer
of the film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, actors Terry Pheto and Atandwa
Kani, Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan and a number of prominent Indian
filmmakers attended the much anticipated premiere of the movie in India.
Pragjee said: “Premiering Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom in India is really
special for us as India always supported our liberation movement. It is also
significant as India was one of the first countries Madiba visited after his release
from prison. We are also delighted to have had our long-time friend, Amitabh
Bachchan to share this occasion with us.’
Bachchan, who was an ambassador of Nelson Mandela’s global anti HIV/AIDS
campaign and the guest of honour at the event, developed a strong connection
with Pragjee and friend Anant Singh, the film’s producer, for over 25 years.
“I feel very privileged and very honoured to be here today at the launch of this
film in our country. Privileged and honoured because of the man who has been
encapsulated in the film. His contribution to the world, to the universe, to
society at large and to all people who believed in equality and dignity, and those
are the things that impressed me the most,’ said Bachchan.
He concluded: “I had the very big honour of meeting Mr Mandela on two
separate occasions and those memories are with me always.’
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom releases on 24 January on more than 100
screens throughout India.
The movie is screening nationwide in South Africa through UIP.
