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ENTERTAINMENT EYE NOVEMBER 29, 2024 | The Indian Eye 38

IFFI 2024: From a documentary on Kashmir to

India’s Oscar hope, film fest buzzes with activities

The 55th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) is being

held in Goa and will run until November 28

OUR BUREAU
Panaji (Goa)

FFI 2024, which began on No-
vember 20, showcases over 180
Iinternational films from 81 coun-
tries, including 16 world premieres,
3 international premieres, 43 Asian
premieres, and 109 Indian premieres.
Notably, the organisers have also in-
cluded a tribute programme to honour
the 100th birth anniversaries of four
Indian cinema legends: actor-film-
maker Raj Kapoor, director Tapan
Sinha, Telugu cinema star Akkineni
Nageswara Rao (ANR), and singer
Mohammed Rafi, as per Variety.
The 55th edition of the Interna-
tional Film Festival of India (IFFI) is
being held in Goa and will run until
November 28.
The documentary ‘Kashmir -
Fighting for Peace’, directed by vet-
eran journalist and filmmaker Ro-
hit Gandhi, premiered at the 2024
International Film Festival of India
(IFFI) on Saturday. The documenta-
ry revolves around the human impact Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Additional Secretary Neerja Sekhar with Film Director Imtiaz Ali, actresses
of the ongoing Kashmir conflict, pre- Kushboo Sundar, Vani Tripathi Tikoo and Suhasini Maniratnam during the first-panel discussion on Women’s Safety and
senting stories of martyrs’ families, Cinema at 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), in Goa on Thursday (ANI)
militants, civilians, and security forces.
Gandhi uses real-time footage and
personal interviews to show the shared in the same loop. The reality is that Content Business at Reliance Indus- has been selected as India’s entry for
pain of those living amidst the unrest. we have to hold the bull by its horns tries attributed the success of Jio to the Oscars 2025. Earlier, Kiran Rao
The film offers a raw look at the and call out what is wrong here. More its strategic approach to content cre- also expressed her gratitude for rec-
region’s decades-long strife while em- civilian lives cannot be lost,” the film- ation and shared that 2024 has been a ognising her piece of hard work and
phasizing the urgent need for peace. maker added. remarkable year and same is the hope giving her a chance to make her film
Rohit Gandhi spoke about the mak- Meanwhile, Jyoti Deshpande, for coming year’s entry to the Oscars reach a global audience.
ing of the film, sharing, “It was in 2017 President of Media and Content Busi- with ‘Laapataa Ladies’, success of “I am very happy. I was not ex-
that I started doing primary research ness at Reliance Industries attributed ‘Stree 2’,’Article 370’ and ‘Shaitaan’ pecting an Oscar entry as many good
on this story. I went through villages in the success of Jio Studios to its strate- has been good. ‘Singham Again’ also films have been made this year. Now
South Kashmir and spent time meeting gic approach to content creation and went well. ‘Baby John’ is getting ready. we will have a chance to show this film
families of militants and civilians. This shared that 2024 has been a remark- So very grateful to the audiences and to a much larger audience. I would
is the culmination of 7 years of work.” able year and same is the hope for very grateful to the blessings of elders like to thank the audience for giving
In a press release shared by the coming year. and God.” so much love to this film. I think there
film’s team, Rohit spoke about the With ‘Laapataa Ladies’ being In- She expressed hope that India is something for everyone in this film,”
making of the film. dia’s official entry to the Oscars, Desh- can get the Oscar this year, “We are she shared.
“It was in 2017 that I started do- pande is hopeful that the prestigious moving forward only to win. So, we are Directed by Kiran Rao and pro-
ing primary research on this story. I award can finally come to the country screening our films there. People are duced under the banners of Aamir
went through villages in South Kash- next year. liking it a lot. The first step is to choose Khan Productions, Kindling Pictures,
mir and spent time meeting families In a conversation with ANI, she from the top 15 films. After that, being and Jio Studios, ‘Laapataa Ladies’
of militants and civilians. This is the said, “Thanks to God. It’s a very good nominated in the top 5 films. So, we was released in theatres on March 1,
culmination of 7 years of work,” said feeling. All our decisions this year hope that our film can go all the way 2024. It starred Nitanshi Goel, Prati-
the filmmaker in a statement. have been good. India’s officiaJyoti and we can make India proud.” bha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastava, Ravi
“The story continues to be mired Deshpande, President of Media and Kiran Rao’s ‘Laapataa Ladies’ Kishan and Chhaya Kadam.

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