Dubai International Film Festival opens 2011 Indian cinema line-up with red carpet world premiere of Ladies vs Ricky Bahl

Ladies vs Ricky Bahl, an eagerly anticipated Bollywood film that marks the second foray for rising star Ranveer Singh, will make its world premiere during the eighth edition of the Dubai International Film Festival, heralding an exciting lineup of Indian cinema at the event.

The brand-new Hindi romantic comedy will be the red carpet gala of the Festival’s Celebration of Indian Cinema programme on Thursday, December 8, 2011. The eighth edition of DIFF, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, will run from December 7 to 14, 2011.

The film reunites Singh with award-winning co-star Anushka Sharma and director Maneesh Sharma after their surprise 2010 critical and commercial hit Band Baaja Baaraat. The cast and crew will walk the red carpet prior to the gala screening at the Madinat Arena, the centerpiece of the Festival’s Madinat Jumeirah headquarters.

The film depicts the story of suave and charismatic conman Ricky Bahl (Singh), who makes a living by deceiving women until he meets his match in the form of Sharma’s character. Ladies vs Ricky Bahl is produced by Aditya Chopra for Yash Raj Films, India’s legendary film studio and the engine behind contemporary classics including the starmaking Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, the Dhoom series, Hum Tum and Mere Brother Ki Dulhan.

The film’s soundtrack, often a major contributor to its longevity and success, has been crafted by the popular Bollywood duo Salim and Sulaiman Merchant, whose body of work includes Chak De India, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Fashion and Band Baaja Baaraat.

Dorothee Wenner, Consultant for the Subcontinent Programme, Dubai International Film Festival, said: “The premiere of Ladies vs Ricky Bahl is a scoop for DIFF, and will appeal not just to the expatriate community but also to Arabs who have a strong affinity for Bollywood films. The trio’s earlier film, Band Baaja Baaraat, stood out for finely balancing Bollywood’s song-dance conventions with youthful sensibilities. Ladies vs Ricky Bahl is billed to be another wholesome entertainer that will appeal to all fans of Indian cinema.”

Nelson D'Souza, Head of Operations, Middle East & North Africa, Yash Raj Films, said: “Yash Raj Films is synonymous with films that have connected across generations through the last four decades. We are delighted to continue our long-standing association with the Dubai International Film Festival, which has previously hosted the star-studded world premieres of Yash Raj films including Kabul Express and Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year. Ladies vs Ricky Bahl follows the success of our earlier release Band Baaja Baaraat, and is a quintessential Yash Raj Films family entertainer.”

DIFF’s Indian programming has consistently reflected the length and breadth of Indian cinema, from its arthouse and experimental traditions to its diverse geographies. This year will be equally diverse, Wenner promised. More details of the Indian line-up will be announced in coming weeks.

The eighth Dubai International Film Festival is organised in association with Dubai Studio City. Dubai Duty Free, Dubai Pearl, Emirates Airline and Madinat Jumeirah, the home of the Dubai International Film Festival, are the principal sponsors of DIFF. The Festival is supported by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority.