Indian Honorary Consul Raj Aggarwal was all smiles as he hosted a glittering film premiere in Cardiff with several Miss Universe finalists in attendance.
The premiere on Saturday 16th September was for ‘Not In Vain’ – a documentary film about the work of Miss Universe Great Britain in India to help survivors of acid attacks.
The red carpet event was held at Cineworld in Cardiff and Indian Honorary Consul Raj Aggarwal OBE was joined by the director of Miss Universe Great Britain Paula Abbandonato, and the film’s producer Natalie Cutler, who was also a former Miss Universe finalist.
Raj Aggarwal said: “It was a spectacular event to raise awareness for a very important cause. It is increasingly important for us to stamp out this vile practice of acid attacks and also provide support for the victims for what is a worldwide problem.
And Raj added: “There are wonderful links between the people of Wales and the people of India. The Not In Vain film shows one of those connections and the friendships and bonds that are occurring as a result.”
The film was shot last year in Cardiff and Newport – the home of the Miss Universe Great Britain competition – and Delhi and Agra in India where the Sheroes of the Stop Acid Attacks charity live and work.
The two unlikely worlds came together when the director of Miss Universe Great Britain Paula Abbandonato from Cardiff, decided to support an international cause which promotes the standing of women
The film highlighted the charity Sheroes which helps survivors with their medical expenses, and also empowers them after the attacks by giving them an opportunity to work and develop through the Sheroes Hangout initiative https://www.facebook.com/SheroesHangout/ which is a chain of cafes in India where the girls work and interact once again in public after their being injured.
The film has been produced by a former Miss Universe Great Britain finalist Natalie Cutler, who lives in the West Midlands. Currently doing the film festival circuit it has already won ‘Best Female Production’ at The Jaipur Film Festival in India.
