‘52 Blue’ to open London Indian Film Festival, Lionel Messi on board as producer
London: Actors Neha Dhupia and Adil Hussain’s upcoming international feature 52 Blue is set to open the prestigious London Indian Film Festival at BFI Southbank on July 9. Directed by Egyptian filmmaker Ali El Arabi, the film has an unusual global connect — Argentine football legend Lionel Messi is associated with the project as a producer.
The team is expected to attend the grand premiere in London. The film will have its European premiere at the iconic BFI Southbank as the festival’s opening title.
Speaking about the moment, Neha Dhupia called it “surreal.”
“52 Blue will always be an incredibly special film for me because it marks my first international project, and to see it opening a festival as prestigious as the London Indian Film Festival feels surreal,” she said. “As actors, we constantly seek stories that move us, challenge us, and stay with us long after the camera stops rolling, and this film did exactly that for me,” Dhupia added.
“To have our European premiere at the iconic BFI Southbank is a huge honour for the entire team. Sharing this moment with such talented co-actors like Adil Hussain and the rest of the cast makes it even more memorable.”
52 Blue marks a major international step for both Dhupia and Hussain, and for Indian cinema at LIFF, which is one of Europe’s largest South Asian film festivals.
The festival runs through July at venues across London, with 52 Blue leading the opening night lineup.
