Filmwallahs-2025
Date: Building a community of South Asian film lovers
Venue: Phoenix Art and Cinema
Phoenix Cinema Leicester
Genre: Film
Filmwallahs is where timeless films meet today’s audiences — a gathering for those who love cinema, and for those discovering its magic for the first time.
Devdas
Sat 22 Nov, 7:15pm
Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Devdas is a breathtaking adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s classic Bengali novel. The film stars Shah Rukh Khan as Devdas Mukherjee, who returns from London to find his romance with his childhood love Paro (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) now bound by social barriers, and his only solace is the company of the courtesan Chandramukhi (Madhuri Dixit-Nene).
With opulent sets, unforgettable performances, and Ismail Darbar’s haunting score, Devdas is a visual and emotional tour de force that redefined Bollywood cinema for a global audience.
Provoked
Thu 27 Nov, 7:45pm
Directed by Jag Mundhra, Provoked is a powerful drama based on the true story of Kiranjit Ahluwalia, portrayed by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Trapped in an abusive marriage in London, Kiranjit’s desperate act leads to a landmark legal battle that redefined British law on domestic violence.
With strong supporting performances from Nandita Das, Miranda Richardson, and Robbie Coltrane, the film is both harrowing and inspiring — a testament to resilience, justice, and the fight for dignity.
Deewaar
Fri 12 Dec, 7:15pm
Marking its 50th anniversary, Deewaar remains one of the defining classics of Indian cinema. Directed by Yash Chopra, the film stars Amitabh Bachchan in his iconic “angry young man” role as Vijay, a dockworker who rises through the underworld, set against the moral battle with his upright policeman brother Ravi (Shashi Kapoor).
With taut direction, unforgettable dialogues, and a pulsating score by R.D. Burman, Deewaar is a landmark story of loyalty, ambition, and betrayal that shaped an entire era of Bollywood storytelling.
In Hindi with English subtitles
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Zindagi Tamasha
Sat 11 Oct, 7:45pm
Screening followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Sarmad Khoosat (Humsafar, Manto, Kamli, Joyland)
Rahmat, a respected naat khwan whose quiet life unravels when a viral video sparks public shame and private turmoil.
Featuring moving performances by Arif Hassan, Eman Suleman, Samiya Mumtaz and Ali Kureshi, the film is a tender yet fearless portrait of faith, hypocrisy and resilience.
