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Key Points

Delhi is set to host its first major film festival, the Celebrating India Film Festival 2025, from August 8-10. The event will feature screenings of classics like 'Umrao Jaan' and new releases like 'Aham Bharatam'. Prominent filmmakers and artists, including Madhur Bhandarkar and Ricky Kej, will participate in panel discussions and performances. The festival aims to showcase India's rich cinematic heritage and diverse cultural themes.

Key Points: Delhi's First Celebrating India Film Festival 2025 to Feature Madhur Bhandarkar Ricky Kej

  • Madhur Bhandarkar's 'India Lockdown' to screen at CIFF 2025
  • Ricky Kej launches new music video 'Gandhi - Mantra of Compassion'
  • FTII and FCG collaborate for filmmaking masterclasses
  • Vintage poster exhibition by IGNCA highlights Indian cinema history
2 min read

Delhi to host its first 'Celebrating India Film Festival 2025'; prominent filmmakers to headline

Delhi hosts its inaugural film festival with Madhur Bhandarkar, Ricky Kej, and FTII collaborations, celebrating Indian cinema and culture.

"This festival is a tribute to India's cinematic legacy and cultural diversity - Festival Organizers"

New Delhi, August 4

The national capital Delhi is all set to host its first major film festival, launching the 'Celebrating India Film Festival' in August this year. Coinciding with India's 78th Independence Day celebrations, the three-day event will be held at the NCUI Auditorium on Siri Fort Road.

It is expected to witness multiple screenings, panel discussions, and performances, with the presence of prominent film personalities and political leaders.

The film festival is organised by Graphisads in association with the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), the Film Critics Guild (FCG), and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA).

It will also explore themes of environment, wildlife, tourism, heritage, art, culture, spirituality, and patriotism.

As per the press release, National Award-winner Madhur Bhandarkar's 'India Lockdown', along with the 4K-restored versions of the 1981 classic 'Umrao Jaan' and Manoj Kumar's patriotic drama 'Kranti', will be screened at the festival. It will also witness the world premiere of the documentary, 'Aham Bharatam' by Bharatbala.

Three-time Grammy Award winner and Padma Shri recipient Ricky Kej will launch his new music video 'Gandhi - Mantra of Compassion'. Bollywood playback singer Hema Sardesai is also scheduled for a live performance.

Besides interactive sessions with acclaimed filmmakers like R.S. Prasanna and Divy Nidhi Sharma (Sitaare Zameen Par), Sudipto Sengupta (The Kerala Story), Amit Rai, (Oh My God 2), and producer Gaurav Dhingra (Stolen), Bollywood actors like Pavan Malhotra, Geetanjali Mishra, Aastha Chaudhary, Hrishitaa Bhatt, and Hemant Pandey will also share their experiences in cinema and the OTT space.

Other events expected at the festival are IGNCA's BD Garg Collection Vintage Poster Exhibition, a Film Critics Guild session on the legacy of Indian cinema, and a filmmaking masterclass conducted by the FTII team.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Vidhan Sabha Adhyaksh Vijender Gupta, Delhi Cabinet Minister Kapil Mishra, Member of Parliament Manoj Tiwari, and former Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi are likely to attend the event.

The Celebrating India Film Festival 2025 (CIFF 2025) will be held from August 8 to 10, 2025.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Excited for Ricky Kej's performance! His fusion music represents modern India so well. Though I wish they had included more regional cinema - South Indian and Bengali films deserve equal spotlight.
R
Rohit P
Good initiative but why so many politicians involved? Film festivals should be about art, not politics. The vintage poster exhibition sounds interesting though - our film history is truly rich.
S
Sarah B
As an expat living in Delhi, I'm thrilled! This will be a wonderful way to understand Indian cinema beyond just Bollywood. The heritage and spirituality themes particularly intrigue me.
K
Kavya N
Hope they have proper arrangements for crowds! Siri Fort area gets so chaotic. Also, will there be subtitles for non-Hindi films? India's diversity should be accessible to all.
M
Michael C
The timing around Independence Day is perfect! Screening 'Kranti' will be so meaningful. Maybe next year they can include documentaries about India's freedom struggle too.

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