The Whole World is a Story-Telling Platform: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar@IFFI 2024

By Pickle November 20, 2024

Spiritual Guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar was also present amongst the dignitaries. On the occasion, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar said, “Every life is like a film. I meet with people and listen to their stories. The whole world is a story-telling platform.” He also said, in Indian mythology, gods are connected with forms of entertainment like Lord Shiva believed to be playing the damru, Goddess Saraswati playing the veena, Lord Krishna playing flute and so on. Indian culture is intertwined with entertainment which helps us to lead a happy life. The first look of the film on the pivotal role played by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on ending Columbia’s civil war was unveiled by Producer Shri Mahavir Jain, on the occasion.

Through a video message, Union MoS for Information and Broadcasting Dr. L. Murugan said that, IFFI tries to promote Indian Cinema and takes various initiatives for ensuring the same. He also conveyed that the Government of India is trying to support the film industry in curbing film-piracy. Further, the single-window system of film facilitation started by I & B Ministry has made obtaining clearances for film-shooting easier. This initiative coupled with various subsidies has added to the Ease of Doing Business for film makers. Dr. Murugan mentioned that the Creative Minds of Tomorrow (CMOT) initiative started in IFFI, where hundred young creative individuals will have the opportunity to be mentored by film stalwarts and get benefitted from their interaction with them. The MoS also stated that IFFI, one of world’s biggest film festivals, received more than 1000 entries. Dr. L. Murugan also said, IFFI feels honoured to give this year’s Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award to noted Australian film-maker Phillip Noyce.

“Let’s tell each other our stories,” urged film stalwart and Festival Director Shekhar Kapur. He said, “Within a nation and nations and communities in a polarized world, the only way to talk to each other is by telling our stories.” This will bring us close to each other and solve a lot of problems in the world, and so we have to continue organising film festivals, opined the renowned film maker. India has the biggest film industry and is the greatest content makers and content consumers of the world, he further said. IFFI Festival Director Shekhar Kapur urged to celebrate not just film makers, but also audiences in this film festival.

Unveiling of special stamp on four legends of Indian Cinema – Raj Kapoor, Tapan Sinha, Akkineni Nageswara Rao and Mohammed Rafi

IFFI this year will pay homage to the extraordinary legacy of Raj Kapoor, Tapan Sinha, Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR), and Mohammed Rafi through a series of tributes, screenings, and interactive events, providing the delegates a closer look at the contributions of these legendary film personalities to the world of cinema. A special stamp on these four stalwarts of Indian cinema was unveiled by Information & Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju, along with Special Secretary, I&B, Ms. Neerja Sekhar; Chief Post Master General (CPMG), Maharashtra Postal Circle, Amitabh Singh; MD, NFDC, Prithul Kumar; Joint Secretary (Films), Ms. Vrunda Manohar Desai; Festival Director, Shekhar Kapur; Son of legendary actor Akkineni Nageswar Rao Nagarjuna; and Ms. Firdaus Rafi, Daughter-in-law of legendary playback singer Mohammed Rafi. Speaking on the occasion, I & B Secretary Sanjay Jaju said, “It’s a great feeling that IFFI is celebrating four legends of Indian cinema this year!”

“IFFI is celebrating Indian cinema goers and Indian cinema makers”

Chief Minister of Goa Dr. Pramod Sawant and Festival Director Shekhar Kapoor felicitated 55th IFFI’s International Competition Jury members – Ashutosh Gowariker (Chairman), Anthony Chen, Elizabeth Karlsen, Fran Borgia, and Jill Bilcock.

The Jury for the newly introduced ‘Best Debut Indian Film’ Category was also mentioned which includes Santhosh Sivan (Jury Chairperson), M.V. Raghu, Suneel Puranik, Sekhar Das and Vinit Kanojia.

Indian Panorama Feature Films Jury includes Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi (Jury Chairperson), Manoj Joshi, Sushmita Mukherjee, Himansu Sekhar Khatua, Oinam Gautam, Ashuu Trikha, S.M. Patil, Neelabh Kaul, Susant Misra, Arun Kumar Bose, Ratnottama Sengupta, Sameer Hanchate and Priya Krishnaswamy. Indian Panaroma Non-Feature films Jury includes Subbaiah Nallamuthu (Jury Chairperson), Rajni Acharya, Ronel Haobam, Usha Deshpande, Vandana Kohli, Mithunchandra Chaudhari and Shalini Shah.