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Jagran Film Festival 2025: The Delhi chapter of the 13th edition of Rajnigandha Presents Jagran Film Festival (JFF) 2025 wrapped up at Siri Fort Auditorium after four days of cinematic brilliance, engaging conversations, and cultural celebrations. From world premieres and masterclasses to tributes to iconic cinema, the festival reaffirmed its position as India’s largest traveling film festival and one of the most inclusive platforms for filmmakers and audiences.
The festival opened with JFF Little Lights for children and the grand world premiere of Inspector Zende, attended by stars Manoj Bajpayee, Jim Sarbh, Chinmay Mandlekar, and even Inspector Zende himself. The inaugural ceremony, graced by dignitaries including Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, highlighted JFF’s role as a transformative platform for aspiring filmmakers, especially from smaller cities.
Day 2 Highlights: Innovation and Storytelling
The second day spotlighted the future of cinema. Kiran Rao’s Humans in the Loop and a panel discussion on AI and storytelling explored the evolving narrative landscape. A heartfelt tribute to Guru Dutt, led by filmmaker R. Balki, and a live audition session by renowned casting director Mukesh Chhabra brought laughter, tears, and audience participation, making the day unforgettable.
Day 3 Highlights: Emotional Connections and Powerful Conversations
The festival’s third day was deeply emotional, anchored by writer Ankur Suman of Tanvi The Great. A parent’s testimony moved the audience to tears, setting the stage for intimate conversations with Jaideep Ahlawat, Rajat Kapoor, and Inayat Verma. The evening featured a reflective dialogue with Rajat Kapoor on his film Putul, leaving audiences inspired and thoughtful.
Day 4 Highlights: Iconic Milestones and Premieres
The finale celebrated 50 years of Sholay, showcased the premiere of Love in Vietnam with Shantanu Maheshwari and Avneet Kaur, and featured masterclasses by casting director Shruti Mahajan. Notable sessions with Divya Khosla Kumar, Umesh Shukla, Kajol, and Umesh Bist on their upcoming projects captivated the audience. The day concluded with back-to-back premieres of Ek Chatur Naar and French drama Valensole 1965, cementing the Delhi chapter as a historic cinematic event.
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Audiences also benefited from expert sessions on VFX & AI by Pradeep Sawant and Virtual Production: Transforming Filmmaking Workflows led by Ashish Ranjan. Independent filmmakers like Mayur Popat (Yun, Hum Mile), Devyani Anant (Bicycle Days), Manpreet Dhami (His Story of Itihas), and Ashwin Kaushal (No Hijaab) received strong recognition, reflecting JFF’s commitment to nurturing fresh voices in Indian cinema.
Voices from the Festival
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Basant Rathore, Senior VP – Strategy & Business Development, Jagran Prakashan Ltd., said: “Cinema has the power to unite people beyond language, geography, and background. JFF Delhi has shown that stories matter, whether told by legends or first-time filmmakers.”
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Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw added, “Jagran Film Festival is one of the most impactful platforms for aspiring filmmakers and audiences, especially from smaller cities.”
Actors and filmmakers shared their insights:
Manoj Bajpayee: “Jagran helped promote my films when I began acting, and I am happy my latest film screened here.”
Mukesh Chhabra: “I come to Delhi for Chole Bhature and Jagran Film Festival. This festival is very close to my heart.”
Jaideep Ahlawat: “It’s never the story of the hero, it’s the hero’s story that matters. Choose the story first; the role will follow.”
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Kajol: “I absolutely love Noyonika Sengupta in The Trial Season 2. As Kajol, I would want a best friend like her.”
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Looking Ahead: JFF 2025 Continues Across India
With the curtains falling on Delhi, JFF 2025 now heads to Kanpur and Lucknow from 19th to 21st September, continuing its mission to democratize cinema, spark dialogue, and celebrate storytellers who shape contemporary culture. The festival remains committed to being more than a film showcase—it is a journey of discovery, emotion, and inspiration.
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