Tag: IFFI 2025

Events in Goa, IFFI 2025

IFFI 2025 Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Legendary Actor Shri Dharmendra“He was an iconic actor and an exceptional human being,” says filmmaker Rahul Rawail

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#IFFIWood, 25 November 2025 : The Indian film fraternity continues to mourn the loss of one of its most cherished legends—Shri Dharmendra, who passed away on September 24, 2025. On Day 6 of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), the festival hosted an emotional and dignified tribute to the beloved actor, celebrating his unmatched legacy and decades-long contribution to Indian cinema.

Noted filmmaker Rahul Rawail, who shared a deep professional and personal bond with Dharmendra, delivered a heartfelt remembrance that resonated with the audience. He began by acknowledging the profound grief enveloping the nation, urging everyone to celebrate the extraordinary life of the man fondly known as Dharam Ji.

Rawail revisited his experience as Assistant Director in Raj Kapoor’s Mera Naam Joker, recalling Dharmendra’s unforgettable portrayal of trapeze artist Mahendra Kumar. With awe, he shared how the actor would travel daily from Mumbai to Delhi to shoot till dawn and return to continue filming Aadmi Aur Insaan.
“This dedication was beyond imagination,” Rawail said. “He never missed a day.”

A Father, Mentor, and Eternal Superstar

Speaking of Betaab (1983), which launched Dharmendra’s son Sunny Deol, Rawail recalled the massive crowds that gathered in Kashmir just to see Dharmendra—even though he wasn’t acting in the film. After its release, Dharmendra watched the film at Gaiety Cinema every day for several days, each time with the enthusiasm of a first-time viewer.
“He had that childlike excitement,” Rawail recounted warmly.

He also shared a moving story of a Delhi police officer who once longed to meet Dharmendra and touch his feet. When the officer heard of the actor’s passing, he broke down, expressing his desire to meet Sunny Deol to offer condolences.
“This is the power of Dharam Ji,” Rawail emphasized with emotion.

A Legacy Etched in Indian Cinema

Calling him a “father figure,” Rawail spoke of Dharmendra’s kindness, humility, mentorship, and unwavering support.
“We’ve lost a great human being,” he concluded. “We were fortunate to have lived in times when icons like Dharmendra Ji were working.”

IFFI 2025’s tribute was a poignant reminder of the actor’s towering presence—an artist who brought joy to millions, a gentleman of warmth, and a star whose legacy will forever illuminate Indian cinema.

Events in Goa

Dr. L. Murugan Inaugurates IFFI 2025 Masterclass Series, Spotlight on AI, Sustainability & Women-led Cinema

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI 2025) opened a significant chapter today as Union Minister of State for Information & Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. L. Murugan, inaugurated the festival’s prestigious Masterclass Series at the Kala Academy in Goa. This year marks a historic milestone with the Masterclass inauguration being held for the first time in the presence of the general public, reflecting IFFI’s vision of fostering greater accessibility, openness, and participation from film enthusiasts across all walks of life. Distinguished dignitaries including Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Shri Sanjay Jaju, Joint Secretary Dr. Ajay Naghbhushan, National Film Development Corporation Managing Director Shri Prakash Magdum, celebrated filmmaker Shri Muzaffar Ali, and noted film personality Shri Ravi Kottarakara graced the occasion, reinforcing the festival’s stature as a global platform for cinematic dialogue and innovation.

In his inaugural address, Dr. Murugan emphasized India’s expanding cultural footprint, noting that more than 200 films from around the world will be screened at this year’s festival. He highlighted that IFFI 2025 aligns with India’s journey toward Viksit Bharat, showcasing the nation’s creative evolution on the global stage. Underscoring the government’s commitment to Nari Shakti, he shared that 50 films directed by women will be showcased, reflecting the growing prominence, participation, and excellence of women filmmakers within the industry, inspired by the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

The Masterclass Series has drawn participants from multiple countries including Australia, Japan, Germany, and Canada, emphasizing its widening global reach and relevance in contemporary filmmaking. This year’s edition promises a rich spectrum of learning opportunities through panel discussions, interactive workshops, roundtable sessions, fireside chats, and interviews designed to deepen understanding of the craft. Acclaimed film personalities such as Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Anupam Kher, Muzaffar Ali, Shad Ali, Shekhar Kapur, Rajkumar Hirani, Aamir Khan, Vishal Bhardwaj, and Suhasini Maniratnam will lead various sessions, making the lineup one of the most dynamic and influential in IFFI’s history.

Setting an inspiring tone, renowned filmmaker Shri Muzaffar Ali conducted the first session of the series, offering participants a glimpse into his rich cinematic philosophy. The Masterclass program this year will explore emerging and future-forward themes, including the integration of Artificial Intelligence in filmmaking, sustainability practices within the creative industry, and technical advancements in cinematography, visual effects, and special effects. Theatre acting workshops led by seasoned experts will further enhance the festival’s holistic focus on performance arts.

By blending global expertise with India’s cultural strengths, IFFI 2025 continues to evolve as a vibrant, inclusive, and forward-looking festival that celebrates the art of cinema while nurturing the next generation of storytellers.

Events in Goa

WAVES Film Bazaar Launches in Goa, Celebrates Global Filmmaking Collaboration

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The WAVES Film Bazaar, South Asia’s premier global film market, officially opened today at the Marriott Resort in Panjim, Goa, with a vibrant inaugural ceremony attended by distinguished leaders, policymakers, filmmakers, and international delegates. Held annually alongside the International Film Festival of India, the 19th edition of the Bazaar, now rebranded as WAVES Film Bazaar, serves as a global hub for filmmakers, producers, sales agents, festival programmers, and distributors seeking creative and financial partnerships. Scheduled from November 20th to 24th, the market features 300 film projects and welcomes delegations from over seven countries.

Shri Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, inaugurated the event, describing the Bazaar as a “complete ecosystem of screenings, masterclasses, and technology showcases.” Highlighting the market’s alignment with the Prime Minister’s vision of “converting art into commerce,” he emphasized the world’s first e-marketplace for filmmakers, which facilitates collaboration between creators and countries. Shri Jaju also noted the curated projects, cash grants, and structured feedback mechanisms, alongside India’s first-ever AI Film Festival and Hackathon as key milestones in embracing the future of cinematic technology.

Guest of Honour Ms. Jaewon Kim, Member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea, lauded the organisers’ dedication since the festival’s inception and expressed hope for strong India-Korea collaborations. She added a memorable moment by performing a soulful rendition of Vande Mataram, earning a standing ovation from the audience. Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, praised the Bazaar for empowering young storytellers and new voices, highlighting the participation of 124 new creators this year. He described the event as a bridge connecting creators and producers while projecting Indian culture and content on the global stage. Additional Secretary Shri Prabhat delivered the vote of thanks, rounding off a ceremony that celebrated creativity and industry leadership.

The inaugural event was further enriched by the presence of IFFI Festival Director and acclaimed filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, actors Shri Nandamuri Balakrishna and Shri Anupam Kher, Jerome Paillard, Advisor to Waves Bazaar, Australian film director Garth Davis, and Shri Prakash Magdum, Managing Director of NFDC. Together, they underscored the Bazaar’s role as a dynamic confluence of artistic vision, innovation, and global collaboration, setting the tone for an inspiring and transformative week of cinematic exchange.

Events in Goa

NFDC & ESG Partner With PictureTime to Bring Inflatable Theatres to IFFI 2025; SRK Classics and Blockbusters Set for Special Screenings

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The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI 2025) is set to introduce an exciting new cinematic experience. In a landmark collaboration, the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) have joined hands with mobile digital theatre innovator PictureTime Digiplex to install fully equipped inflatable theatres at the prestigious Kala Academy in Goa.

Known for revolutionising film access in underserved regions, PictureTime Digiplex brings its cutting-edge inflatable cinema technology to one of the world’s most respected film festivals. The 2025 edition of IFFI, scheduled from 20th to 28th November, will witness these portable theatres showcasing an exciting lineup across Inspirational Films, Indian Panorama Classics, Nostalgia, and Children’s Cinema.

For the first time ever, three iconic Shah Rukh Khan favourites — Chak De! India, Darr, and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge — will be screened inside these unique inflatable theatres. Audiences can also look forward to acclaimed films such as Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 12th Fail, the Malayalam blockbuster Manjummel Boys, Rajkummar Rao’s Srikanth, Rani Mukerji’s Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway, Sooraj Barjatya’s Uunchai, Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay!, Irrfan Khan’s Qissa, and acclaimed classics including Satyajit Ray’s Shatranj Ke Khilari, Vijay Anand’s Teesri Manzil, and Yash Chopra’s Chandni and Kala Patthar.

Children will also enjoy special daily screenings of films such as Gattu, Kaphal: Wild Berries, Banarasi Jasoos, The Prince and the Crown of Stone, and Naal 2.

Beyond the main venue, PictureTime will set up open-air screenings across North and South Goa, allowing thousands of local residents to experience festival films outside traditional theatres.

Sushil Chaudhary, Founder & CEO of PictureTime Digiplex, expressed immense pride in the collaboration, recalling PictureTime’s association with IFFI since their Bioscope Village initiative in 2017.
He shared:

“Bringing our mobile digital theatres to a festival of this scale shows how far this technology has come—from remote villages to one of the world’s most respected film events. Our mission has always been to democratise cinema and take high-quality experiences to every corner of the country.”

He added that the 2025 lineup, combining SRK classics, acclaimed contemporary films, and dedicated children’s programming, reflects the diversity and cultural richness of Indian cinema.
“With the Kala Academy inflatable theatre and open-air screenings across Goa, we hope to create a festival experience that is immersive, inclusive, and truly celebratory of Indian storytelling.”

The Kala Academy inflatable theatre alone is expected to welcome 1,000+ visitors daily, while each open-air location may draw an additional 300–400 viewers every day — making IFFI 2025 one of the most accessible and community-engaging editions to date.

Events in Goa

International Film Festival of India 2025: Embracing Accessibility for All

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The International Film Festival of India returns to celebrate the joy of cinema from November 20 to 28, 2025, bringing together filmmakers, artists, industry professionals, and movie lovers from around the world. This year, the festival expands its vision by placing accessibility at the heart of its cultural celebration, ensuring that the magic of cinema is open to everyone.

Designed with inclusivity in mind, the festival grounds feature wheelchair-friendly spaces throughout the venue, allowing seamless movement and comfortable viewing experiences. Sign-language interpreters will be present across key sessions, screenings, and interactive events, ensuring that the deaf and hard-of-hearing community can fully engage with conversations, presentations, and moments that define IFFI each year.

With improved elevator access and thoughtfully designed pathways, the festival ensures that guests of all mobility levels can enjoy the full IFFI experience without barriers. More than just a showcase of films, IFFI 2025 stands as a celebration of community, diversity, and shared storytelling.

By embracing accessibility, the festival reaffirms that cinema is not only an art form but a universal language meant to be experienced and enjoyed by all.