by
User Not Found | May 24, 2016
November 14th 2005, and all roads in the city of Marrakech lead only to Place Jemaa El Fna, where a crowd of over 5000 strong local Morroccan's await for... in their own words... Our Hero!
Two words from their Hero Yash Chopra "Salaamalekam Marrakech" and the screams, claps and roar of thousands could be heard for the next 5 minutes. One could easily be forgiven for thinking that one was at a Rock concert and not a screening of a Love Story called "Veer-Zaara". The screening of “Veer-Zaara” was an unprecedented event. The smiles and tears of the enraptured audience were to be seen to be believed.
Many were recorded making statements like “There are 3 things in India that makes it India... Taj Mahal, Lata Mangeshkar & Yash Chopra” of course Yash Chopra asked them to omit the last name but insisted that the first two were true.
Indeed an overwhelming experience for all that are in any way connected to Indian Cinema and more so for a humble man called... Yash Chopra... who in an emotional speech said, “it was an experience that proved... love and cinema has no language, cast, colour or creed”.
Yash Chopra came to Marrakech to attend the 5th ANNUAL FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL DU FILM DE MARRAKECH,on 11th November 05, and over the 4 day visit met with important delegates from all over the world, including personalities like Martin Scorcesse, Abbas Kiarostami and Dame Judy Dench among others.
One of the highlights of Yash Chopra’s visit was a special dinner hosted by His Royal Highness, Prince MOULAY RACHID at the Royal Palace, who said “Cinema can make the world a better place”. The visit culminated with Yash Chopra being honoured with an award presentation at the Place Jemaa El Fna.
With over 16 films from Yash Raj Films being screened throughout the 8 days of the Festival... the Moroccans have rarely had it so good when it comes to paying their tribute to Indian Cinema and their Hero... Yash Chopra.
