IFFIESTA kicks off IFFI With Musical Flair & Star Power

By Pickle November 22, 2025

IFFIESTA opens IFFI 2025 with Doordarshan legends, global stars, and musical magic—plus three more free nights of bands, folk, and cinema fusion in Goa!

The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa opened in true celebratory style with IFFIESTA—a four-day musical and cultural journey curated by Doordarshan and WAVES OTT at Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium. Since last year, IFFIESTA has transformed IFFI into a festival of not just film, but music, art, and life itself.

The glittering inauguration on November 21, 2025, was graced by a constellation of luminaries: actor Anupam Kher, Oscar-winning composer M M Keeravani, National Award-winning actress Aimee Baruah, Film Federation of India President Ravi Kottarakara, and South Korean singer MP Jaewon Kim.

Doordarshan’s Director General K. Satish Nambudiripad joined the lineup, highlighting the digital leap with WAVES OTT: “WAVES OTT offers safe, wholesome entertainment for family,” he noted, inviting the ‘generation G’ of digital natives to rediscover Doordarshan’s enduring legacy.

Anupam Kher, reflecting on his cinematic beginnings, declared, “We are fortunate that it was Doordarshan that introduced us to the world of cinema. Doordarshan is a fragrance that lingers in our lives, still wrapping us in its embrace.”

The night began with a stirring “Vande Mataram” by Jaewon Kim, who expressed her delight at performing in India and her hopes for Indo-Korean film collaboration. Singer-songwriter Osho Jain then delivered a lively two-hour concert, launching the festival’s musical odyssey.

What’s Next: Three More Nights of Free Cultural Fun

IFFIESTA’s next three nights (November 22-24) promise a packed schedule—all with free entry—featuring:

Day 2 (Nov 22): Hosts Neetu Chandra & Niharica Raizada; Band battles (The Bandits vs Beats of Love); Suron Ka Eklavya with Pratibha Singh Baghel and guest artists; Waah Ustad’s “Folk & Fusion – Mitti Ki Awaaz.”

Day 3 (Nov 23): Host Niharica Raizada; Band battles (MH43 vs The Swastik); Suron Ka Eklavya; Waah Ustad’s “Sufi & Bhakti – Ishq Aur Bhakti Ki Ek Sur.”

Day 4 (Nov 24): Host Niharica Raizada; Band battles (The Vairagis vs Knights); Suron Ka Eklavya; Devanchal ki Prem Katha (Himachali folk dance with Raza Murad & cast); Waah Ustad finale “Raga & Cinema Fusion – Sur Se Cinema Tak.”

The Suron Ka Eklavya segment is curated by Gajendra Singh, Waah Ustad by Dilli Gharana, and special singers presented by Saregama. All events are broadcast live on DD Bharati, streamed on WAVES OTT, and highlighted on DD National.

Event Details:

Dates: November 21-24, 2025

Venue: Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Indoor Stadium, Goa

Timings: 6:00 PM onwards (gates open at 5:00 PM)

Entry: FREE for November 22-24

Live Coverage: DD Bharati, WAVES OTT, DD National (highlights)