This Monday, the Express Film Club by SCREEN continued its monthly tradition of spotlighting lesser-known but cinematically profound films with a screening of Inn Galiyon Mein, a light-hearted romantic comedy directed by Avinash Das. The screening took place at the India Habitat Centre, Delhi. The film features a huge ensemble a cast led by Jaaved Jaaferi, Vivaan Shah, Avantika Dasani (in her film debut), Sushant Singh, Istiyak Khan, Suniel Shetty, Raveena Tandon, and Veenay Bhasskar.
The evening kicked off with noted film critic Shubhra Gupta introducing the film. The screening was followed by a lively Q&A session attended by the filmmaker himself, Avinash Das. After the screening, Gupta praised the film for its heartfelt storytelling and emotionally resonant tone. She singled out performances by Vivaan Shah and Avantika Dasani, noting their nuanced portrayals. Speaking about Jaaved Jaaferi, she said, “Javed Jafferi is one of the most underrated actors in the industry and here his skills are deployed to full potential.” Describing the essence of the film, she added poignantly, “The film spreads love and if it’s so easy to spread hate then why can’t we do that with love?”
The screening took place in IHC Delhi.
During his interaction with the audience, director Avinash Das shared insights into his storytelling process. He said he gravitates toward narratives he can personally connect with and strives to portray them with utmost honesty on screen. Reflecting on the film’s journey, he revealed the difficulties faced during the certification process. According to Das, the censor board initially denied certification, pushing the team to appeal to the Revising Committee, which suggested twenty cuts. Eventually, the filmmakers had to approach the court, which advised them to “drop two lines and asked them to release.”
The audience responded with enthusiasm and emotion. Many viewers expressed deep appreciation for the film, calling it both entertaining and touching. One audience member went as far as to say, “It’s one of the greatest films I have seen in my life.”
