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By JENNIFER HOPFINGER

The festival, which screens contemporary American and international films, is introducing a country-specific program this year, beginning with the country that produces more films than any other, India. It includes a mix of feature films—both commercial and arthouse—and documentaries.

"Passport: India brings to Milwaukee audiences legendary actors (Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, and Aamir Khan), show-stopping song and dance, hard-hitting documentaries, and a bold new film from a young director that’s shattering all preconceived notions of romance in Indian cinema," said Jonathan Jackson, artistic and executive director of Milwaukee Film.

The selections for "Passport: India" include:

1. •Aarakshan - a political drama about India's caste-based version of affirmative action. (Sept. 24)
   

1. •The Bengali Detective - a documentary about private detectives. (Sept 23, 24, 26)
   

1. •Bhopali - a documentary about the lives shattered by the Union Carbide chemical and gas leak in Bhopal, India, in 1984. (Sept. 28; Oct. 1, 2)
   

1. •Gandu - a gritty drama about a rapper. (Sept. 30; Oct. 2)
   

1. •I Am Sindhutai Sapkal - a fact-based drama about a lower-caste woman who founds five orphanages and defends the rights of the downtrodden. (Sept. 25, 26; Oct. 2)
   

1. •Marathon Boy - a documentary about an eight-year-old marathon runner.
   

1. •Mumbai Diaries - a love story about people separated by class. (Sept. 25, 27, 30; Oct. 2)
   

1. •Robot - a sci-fi dance musical about a lovesick robot. (Sept. 25, 27; Oct. 1)
   

Last year, more than 30,000 attended the festival, which had 26 sold-out screenings.

Tickets go on sale September 8. For more information, visit www.milwaukee-film.org.

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September 1, 2011