• By Murtaza Ali Khan

TEANECK, NJ (TIP): Emmy-nominated filmmaker Tirlok Malik’s heartfelt film On Golden Years made a memorable impact at the Teaneck International Film Festival’s 19th annual celebration. Held on November 10, 2024, the screening drew a warm response from the audience, ending with resounding applause and a powerful message of love and resilience.

The film resonated deeply with viewers, who praised both its storytelling and its reflection of the immigrant experience. Sanjay Modi called it a “truly good story and well portrayed on the big screen,” adding he planned to see it again with his wife. Harry Shah remarked that it carried a “great message of love” and noted how it reflects “a reality which we immigrants have been living.” Pam and Lall Kawatra also expressed their appreciation, saying, “We loved the film; congratulations to Tirlok Malik!”

David Nachman, Esq., Managing Attorney at Nachman, Phulwani, Zimovcak (NPZ) Law Group, P.C. shared: “Thank you for giving us the opportunity to sponsor such an excellent film with such an important message at a critical time. The NPZ Law Group is pleased to support TIFF’s missions and messages. Congratulations to Tirlok Malik for providing attendees with exposure to a truly timeless film.”

Jeremy Lentz, Executive Director of the Teaneck International Film Festival, added, “It was an honor to present On Golden Years at the 19th Teaneck International Film Festival. The message of this film reminds us to love each day you are given and live each day you’ve got — leading with love and compassion. I hope this film will uplift and inspire others to be kind to each other and take care of one another.”

The screening concluded with a lively Q&A, where Malik expressed his gratitude, made everyone laugh in his trademark style, and left everyone with a final, uplifting message to love oneself and live every moment of life to the fullest. This sentiment, capturing the spirit of the film, left a lasting impression on attendees and reinforced the power of cinema to bring people together and inspire a love for life.

(Murtaza Ali Khan is an award-winning film critic who has served on the jury of the 69th and the 70th National Awards. He has been covering cinema, arts, and culture for the last decade and a half. He can be reached at murtaza.jmi@gmail.com)