Stevan Segal to lead team to Hyderabad

A delegation of leading Hollywood stars, led by action hero Stevan Segal will visit Hyderabad next March to attend Celebration of World Cinema, a week-long festival to help bring the Hollywood and Bollywood closer and promote international film trade in India.
The festival, to be held here between March 10 and14, as part of the International Film Festival and Trade of India, will be the first of its kind initiated by Hollywood veterans.
Segal will be flanked by a slew of Hollywood names including Jean Claude Vandamme, Goldie Hawn, Jennie Oppewal of L A Confidential and Sea Biscuit, Louis Edman, who won the Academy award for editing, prominent entertainment industry lawyer Robert Rosen. Another interesting name is that of Michael Low of the famous Beach Boys. At least a dozen more mainstream stars will sign-up in the next few weeks, according to organisers.
“Most Hollywood stars have signed up to be on the advisory board and is a good sign,� Nadadur Vardhan, the president and CEO of California Media group that sponsored the kick off event informs from Los Angeles. “We have a good mix of artists. We will have directors, producers and editors in the delegation.� Vardhan said the organisers were thrilled with the support given by CM Chandrababu Naidu.
In addition to film festival, there will be a film trade expo Advantage India, which will showcase state-of-art production and postproduction facilities in Hyderabad. According to the promoters, a majority of the proceeds will go towards charity.
“I like India’s tradition and values and it has a strong history of 10,000 years and is a treasure,� says Segal, making it clear that he loves India and is looking forward to visit in March.
Andhra Pradesh and the Central government will be the co-host of the event, the first of its kind promoting, trade, cinema and also tourism. Bollywood dream girl Hema Malini has agreed to be the chairperson of the event. The board has attracted Star War producer Irvin Krishner, Gordon Hessler, John Philiplaw, James Hong, Jag Mundra and Leith Eaton.
From the Indian side, IFFTI has the blessings of leading directors Yash Chopra, Subhash Ghai, Telugu media baron and filmmaker Ramoji Rao, actors Jayaprada, Chiranjeevi, Kabir Bedi and Satyam Computers founder Ramalinga Raju. Indian American stalwarts – Prem Reddy and Raj Vattikkytty are the grand patrons of the event.
hyderabadtimes@indiatimes.com