The 54th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) began on Monday attracting a diverse audience from around the world. This year, there are 2926 film submissions from 105 countries, a significant increase from last year. Delegates can enjoy over 270 curated movies (13 world, 18 international, 62 Asian, and 89 Indian premieres). The festival features 15 films competing for the Golden Peacock Award and 32 entries from 15 OTT platforms for the Best Web Series Award.
Opening ceremony and Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur’s initiative
The opening ceremony, which was a star-studded affair with the likes of Shahid Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Shriya Saran, Nushratt Bharucha, Sara Ali Khan, Vijay Sethupathi, Sunny Deol, Karan Johar, Shreya Ghoshal and Sukhwinder Singh among others in attendance, showcased the government’s efforts to position India as a global film destination. Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Thakur, announced a special incentive to attract international film productions to India. He said, “The Government has raised the incentive to a maximum up to 40 percent of the expenditure incurred with the raised limit of Rs 30 crores exceeding USD 30.5 million.”
Thakur noted that 54th edition has many firsts like the presence of 40 women filmmakers at the festival this year. He also spoke about the recent Cinematograph Amendment Bill 2023 that broadened the legal framework, shifting focus beyond censorship. The minister noted how the bill has also introduced vigorous measures against piracy.
Underlining the power of cinema, Anurag Thakur said, “I strongly believe that, throughout its history, cinema has captured and chiseled ideas, imagination and innovation such that it forms the driving force for peace, progress and prosperity in a world which is increasingly distressed with division.”
He added, “In 1902, long before space organizations were even conceived or conceptualized, a remarkable visionary work of art and a French film by Georges Méliès, A Trip to the Moon spread the seeds of scientific possibility and progress in people’s minds. Tthe power of cinema is incredible and it is fascinating how these ideas shape our world.”
Madhuri Dixit honoured
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Madhuri Dixit received the Special Recognition for Contribution to Bharatiya Cinema award for her contribution to Indian cinema. After receiving the award, Madhuri recalled her first audition for Rajshri Productions’ Abodh.
The dancing diva also performed on her hit songs during the ceremony. Other celebrities like Shriya Saran and Nushratt Bharucha also set the stage on fire with their dance performance.
Salman Khan, Vidya Balan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Vicky Kaushal, Sidharth Malhotra, Aditi Rao Hydari, AR Rahman, and Amit Trivedi are expected to grace the festival in the coming days.
Here are some glimpses from the event:
The trailer of Pankaj Tripathi’s Kadak Singh and a poster of Sara Ali Khan-starrer Ae Watan Mere Watan were also unveiled during the opening ceremony of the 54th International Film Festival of India. The festival will end on November 28.
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