Tag: IFFI2025

Human Interest

Hindu Janajagruti Samiti Files Complaint Against Ranveer Singh Over Alleged Mockery of Sacred Daiva at IFFI 2025

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A fresh controversy has erupted at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) after the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) filed an official complaint against Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh. The organisation has accused the actor of insulting religious sentiments during IFFI’s closing ceremony in Goa.

According to the complaint, Ranveer Singh allegedly mimicked the divine form portrayed in the film Kantara – Chapter 1 and further referred to Chamundi Daiva, a revered Kotitulu deity, as a “female ghost.” These remarks, HJS claims, were disrespectful and amounted to derogatory comments against a sacred cultural tradition.

The HJS stated that the Daiva tradition, particularly in coastal Karnataka, is deeply rooted in spirituality, family lineage, and centuries-old rituals. Any misrepresentation, they argue, can hurt the sentiments of devotees and distort the understanding of indigenous cultural practices.

The complaint seeks:

  • A police inquiry into the actor’s statements
  • Appropriate legal action for hurting religious sentiments
  • A public apology from Ranveer Singh

The organisation also expressed concern that influential public figures must remain sensitive while representing cultural or religious symbols on prominent platforms such as IFFI.

Police have acknowledged receipt of the complaint, and further inquiry is awaited.

This controversy comes at a time when Kantara’s cultural impact has remained strong, especially among communities who consider Daiva worship a sacred responsibility rather than a performative art.

Further updates are expected as the matter progresses.

Events in Goa, IFFI 2025

Renowned Kavi Artist Sagar Naik Mule’s Farewell Tribute to IFFI 2025: Celebrating the Cycle of Nature

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Renowned Kavi Artist Sagar Naik Mule received a surprising and exciting call from “The Peacock” team of the Entertainment Society of Goa to contribute to the International Film Festival of India 2025. Entrusted with the creation of the farewell page, Sagar embraced the opportunity to reflect the festival’s spirit through a unique artistic lens.

The farewell work celebrates the cycle of nature, symbolizing how every year brings new ideas and inspirations to IFFI Goa. Using the technique of PoP, Sagar captured impressions of leaves through a self-portrait on a peacock, symbolically expressing gratitude to everyone who made IFFI 2025 a grand success.

The message of thanks, “Dev Bore Koru” in Konkani, resonates throughout the artwork, combining elegance, creativity, and heartfelt acknowledgment.

With trust and encouragement from Vivek Menezes, Sagar’s farewell page became a memorable tribute to the festival’s vibrancy, creativity, and community spirit, leaving a lasting impression on attendees and contributors alike.

Events in Goa

NFDC Tableau Shines at the 56th IFFI Opening Parade in Goa

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The opening parade of the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa delivered a stunning visual spectacle, featuring a vibrant mix of cultural troupes and creative entries from production houses across the country. Among these, the NFDC (National Film Development Corporation) tableau stood out as one of the most eye-catching and thoughtfully crafted highlights of the event.

This year’s NFDC tableau captured widespread admiration for its elegant design and engaging moving components. The centrepiece—a massive projector equipped with dynamic projection lights—brought an immersive visual energy to the parade. Through this striking installation, NFDC creatively portrayed the evolution and milestones of Indian cinema.

Widely regarded as an organisation that reshaped Indian filmmaking and pioneered the new wave cinema movement, NFDC used the tableau to beautifully narrate its cinematic journey. The display also integrated its aligned verticals—NMIC (National Museum of Indian Cinema) and NFAI (National Film Archive of India)—through seamless and artistic visual representation.

The content curation was led by Satyajit Mandle, DGM, NMIC, while the art direction and production design were executed by Mahendra Potadar, under the guidance of NFDC’s Managing Director Prakash Magdum.

Commanding attention for its creativity, sophistication, and storytelling depth, the NFDC tableau emerged as one of the most memorable and classy installations at the IFFI 56 parade, earning praise from visitors, filmmakers, and festival participants alike.

Events in Goa

Grand Parade Marks Historic, Carnival-Style Opening of 56th IFFI in Panaji

allycaralgoa

Panaji witnessed a historic and spectacular opening to the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI 2025) as the festival kicked off with its first-ever grand parade on 20 November. In a departure from tradition, IFFI embraced an open, carnival-style inauguration that brought cinema directly to the people.

The parade completely transformed DB Road into a dazzling cultural stretch, as floats from film production houses, state pavilions, animation studios, and performing troupes moved from the Old Goa Medical College building to the Kala Academy. Over two dozen floats participated, including 12 presented by the Goa government, each portraying vibrant themes inspired by India’s cinematic heritage, regional arts, and animation.

One of the most striking segments of the parade was the large-scale folk production “Bharat Ek Soor”, staged by the Central Bureau of Communication under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. Featuring more than 100 artists, the performance showcased traditional dance forms from across the country, creating an energetic and culturally rich spectacle.

The appearance of beloved animated characters—including Chhota Bheem, Motu Patlu, and Bittu Bahanebaaz—added a playful and heartwarming element to the parade, drawing cheers from children and adults alike.

The atmosphere throughout Panaji was festive and immersive, reflecting Goa’s iconic carnival spirit. Thousands of locals, tourists, students, and delegates lined the streets to witness the vibrant floats, live music, dance performances, and cultural showcases. What had traditionally been a closed-door opening ceremony became a public celebration, allowing the community to be at the heart of the festival’s excitement.

The grand parade not only set a joyful and inclusive tone for the nine-day film festival but also marked a significant step towards making IFFI more accessible and engaging for all.

Events in Goa

Traffic Advisory: Road Closures and Parking Arrangements for IFFI Float Parade and Rehearsals in Panaji

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Panaji Traffic Police has issued a comprehensive advisory for residents and commuters in view of the upcoming IFFI Float Parade and its rehearsal. On 18th November 2025, the stretch of D.B.B. Marg from the old Secretariat to Kala Academy will be closed for vehicular traffic from 15:00 to 17:00 hrs during the parade rehearsal. On 20th November, float assemblies will begin at Merces Junction on Panaji–Old Goa Service Road, with Promotional and State floats assembling near Divja Circle.

All floats will line up at the Starting Point at Old GMC via D.B.B. Marg (left side lane, incoming) from 13:00 hrs. Floats parked at Merces Junction will proceed via KTC Panaji to the line-up area. The parade will culminate near Kala Academy, Campal, after which the floats will be parked at the Football Ground on D.B.B. Marg until further instructions from traffic authorities. In addition, Inox Lane (Gen. Bernard Guedes Road) will remain closed for all vehicular traffic from 20th to 28th November 2025.

For incoming traffic, vehicles entering Panaji during the rehearsal and parade should follow designated diversion routes including the new Patto Bridge via Divja Circle and Dayanand Bandodkar statue, or via the new Mala Bridge for traffic from Bambolim. City buses will be suspended on parade routes during the event. Traffic from Ribandar will be diverted via the Ribandar Causeway and NH-748. Outgoing traffic, including route buses from Miramar, will be diverted via Campal Ganesh/Kala Academy, Fire Brigade Junction, St. Inez, Caculo Island, 18th June Road, and Church Square. Heavy and commercial vehicles are restricted from entering the city between 07:00 and 21:00 hrs, and tourist buses from Dona Paula will be restricted beyond Miramar Circle after 13:00 hrs.

Designated parking zones for vehicles with passes include PVR Inox Multiplex, Kala Academy (S1 & S2 pick-up/drop), and Market Lane (S4 Media). Vehicles without passes will be directed to EDC Plaza/MLCP and KTC Bus Stand for North Goa traffic, and via GMC Bambolim–Goa University–Miramar for South Goa traffic. No-parking zones have been declared along Jose Falcao Road, Joao Castro Road, Match Corner to Casa International (M.G. Road), Caculo Island to St. Inez Junction, Church Square to Cortin Foot Bridge, and Down the Road Pub to Match Corner.

Commuters are advised to follow the traffic guidelines, use alternate routes, and plan their travel in advance to avoid inconvenience during the IFFI Float Parade and rehearsals.