Actress Bhavana was featured as a surprise guest at the inaugural function of the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) 2022. Her appearance was quite the surprise as her name was not on the guest list until Chalachitra Academy Chairman Ranjith welcomed her on stage acknowledging her as a “woman representative of fight”.
As the actress walked on the stage, the crowd gave her a standing ovation. Bhavana shared the stage along with three others, Kurdish filmmaker Lisa Calan, Bangladeshi actress Azmeri Haque Badhon, and Thiruvananthapuram Mayor Arya Rajendra. Bollywood director Anurag Kashyap was the chief guest.
Bhavana thanked the festival’s artistic director Bina Paul and Academy Chairman Ranjith for inviting her. She said, “My best wishes for all who make good cinema and enjoy good cinema and also for women who fight against all odds like Lisa Calan.”
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan presented the Spirit of Cinema award to Lisa Calan at the inaugural function. He said, “This government is with all the women who are committed in the field of cinema.”
Cultural Affairs Minister Saji Cheriyan acknowledged Bhavana’s presence, calling her a ‘Role model of Kerala’. The inaugural function was followed by a screening of the opening film ‘Rehana’, directed by Abdullah Mohammed Saad.
