21, Nov 2023
Canara Bank launches new products on its 118th Founder’s Day
On the occasion of 118th Founder’s Day, Canara Bank’s MD & CEO Shri K Satyanarayana Raju along with the Executive Directors launched various new products & services for the customers. The new products & services namely:
Corporate ai1 – will cater to the diverse needs of the Corporate Customers of the Bank, who can perform Banking transactions through Corporate Internet Banking and on the ‘Canara ai1 Corporate’ App interchangeably.
Whatsapp Banking Channel – provides 18 services to customers such as balance inquiries, mini statements, etc by simply sending a Hi/Hello message on 9076030001.
Canara UPI 123 Pay – an IVR-based UPI solution for feature phone users. Account holders of any Bank can avail of this facility in 10 Indian languages including English.
- 0
- By Rabindra
21, Nov 2023
Coal India Limited celebrates 49th Foundation Day
The 49th Foundation Day celebrations of Coal India (CIL) began in the morning at its Corporate Office in Kolkata with Shri P. M. Prasad, Chairman, CIL, and Functional Directors paying floral tributes at the Martyrs’ Memorial. On this occasion, Corporate, Individual, and group awards were conferred in the evening by the Chairman of Coal India Limited.
21, Nov 2023
From Politicians to Sportsmen, Cinestars to Common Man all paid their heart touching Tributes to Saharasri
· Amitabh Bachchan, Yogi Aditya Nath, Akhilesh Yadav, P.V. Sindhu, Yuvraj Singh, Saina Nehwal, Abhishek Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, Anupam Kher, Pullela Gopichand, Madhur Bhandarkar and many more paid tributes to Saharasri and called his demise a big loss to the country
· Sahara Group said it has robust fundamentals and a well-defined organizational structure. ‘We are committed to upholding the legacy of Saharasri and will continue to honor his vision in driving the organization with the same force and determination’
Kolkata, 21st November 2023: Managing Worker and Chairman of Sahara India Pariwar, one of the biggest conglomerates of India, Subrata Roy Sahara, fondly called Saharasri, received heart-touching tributes from people from all walks of life. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Hon’ble Shri Yogi Aditya Nath expressed his deepest sorrow on the death of Saharasri while the former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Shri Akhilesh Yadav said it was an emotional loss of the state and our country as Saharasri was not only a successful businessman but also a person of big heart who helped and supported countless individuals.
Saharasri passed away on 14th November 2023 at 10.30 pm due to cardiorespiratory arrest following an extended battle with complications arising from metastatic malignancy, hypertension, and diabetes at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital & Medical Research Institute in Mumbai. He was brought to Lucknow on 15th November and the last rites took place on 16th November. In this moment of sorrow his wife Smt. Swapna Roy, daughter-in-law Smt. Richa Roy – wife of his elder son Shri Sushanto Roy and Smt. Chandni Roy – wife of younger son Shri Seemanto Roy received immensely emotional condolences from thousands of people. The spokesperson of Sahara India Pariwar said that at this moment of great sorrow, both the Deputy Managing Workers of Sahara India Pariwar Shri O.P. Srivastava and Shri J.B. Roy – younger brother of Subrata Roy Sahara provided paternal support to the family and the entire Sahara India Pariwar.
Amongst the first who met with Smt. Swapna Roy in Mumbai immediately after the death of Saharasri was Shri Amitabh Bachchan who was accompanied by his son Shri Abhishek Bachchan and his daughter Ms. Shweta Bachchan Nanda. They reached the Sahara Star Hotel in Mumbai to pay their last respects. Shri Amitabh Bachchan used his blog also to mourn the loss. World Badminton Champion P.V. Sindhu said, ‘It is heartbroken to learn about the passing of Saharasri. He has always treated me with nothing but love, affection, and respect.
Saharasri founded Sahara India Pariwar in 1978 with Rs. 2000, one 10’ x 12’ office room, and 2 assistants, and transformed the landscape of micro-saving in India. He offered financial services to the unbanked and financially excluded population by educating and inculcating the habit of saving in them. In 2004, Sahara Group was termed by Time magazine as “the second-largest employer in India” after Indian Railways. The group operates through more than 5,000 establishments spread across India and has a field and office workforce of around 12 Lakhs under the Sahara India umbrella.
On the question of what is the way forward for the group, Sahara said “Sahara India Pariwar is a professionally managed organization. The organization has robust fundamentals and a well-defined organizational structure. All the business verticals are already headed by the efficient and professionally skilled people of their respective fields. Hon’ble Saharasri Ji has always been and will always remain our source of inspiration. Sahara India Pariwar is committed to upholding his legacy and will continue to honor his vision in driving the organization with the same force and determination.”
Subrata Roy Sahara, more than a businessman, was a nationalist and philanthropist. Post Kargil War, the then Prime Minister of India Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee praised Sahara India led by Subrata Roy Sahara for providing financial support to the 320 families of martyrs. He received profound affection from Mother Teresa on many occasions. Saharasri Subrata Roy gave financial assistance to families of martyrs of the Kargil war, and Mumbai terror attack by paying five times their gross salaries for the next ten years and beyond for those families who had underage children, Dantewada Massacre victims, assisted the victims of natural calamity by getting them relocated and rehabilitated, took healthcare services to the remote corners of the country via a fleet of mobile health vans, initiated adult literacy and vocational training programs, started projects for the rehabilitation of physically challenged people and annually organized mass marriages ceremony for 101 underprivileged girls from all faiths and communities of the society.
Subrata Roy Sahara was a prime promoter and patron of Indian sports. He himself was fond of badminton and used to play every day. He strongly believed that sport is the most healthy, energetic, and spirited facet of society, and promoted Indian sports on regional, national, and international levels. Apart from sponsoring the Indian Cricket and Hockey Teams for more than a decade, Sahara adopted Indian Boxing, Wrestling, Archery, Shooting, Track and field, Tennis, and Volleyball and extended support to a large number of sportspersons across these sporting disciplines.
The deep relationship that Saharasri enjoyed with the players can be gauged through the condolence message from the great Cricketer Yuvraj Singh who said, ‘Saharasri was a great man and a warrior. When I got diagnosed with cancer, he was one of the few people who stood by me and supported me. Saharasri’s sad demise is a huge loss and a very difficult void to fill.
20, Nov 2023
“It’s not very Bollywoodish!” says Parmeet Sethi while sharing about his experience creating Hack Crimes Online on Amazon miniTV
Mumbai, 20th November 2023: Amazon miniTV – Amazon’s free video streaming service, recently premiered its latest cybercrime drama, Hack Crimes Online, a unique tale of hackers in India. Based on a novel by India’s prominent cyber-crime investigator, Mr. Amit Dubey, the engaging series directed by Parmeet Sethi features Vipul Gupta and Riddhi Kumar in pivotal roles. With cybercrime rising on an exponential basis, the series aims to drive awareness amongst audiences on the perils prevalent in today’s digital world and how to safeguard oneself. The director, Parmeet Sethi recently shared interesting insights towards the making of the show.
While speaking about directing the most challenging scene, Parmeet said, “All of the scenes are easy and difficult, but the one we shot in the dumpyard was the most difficult. The garbage had many burning mountains, and shooting with the toxic fumes everywhere was extremely challenging. It was 40 degrees outside, which made things even more difficult. That was one of the most difficult scenes we had to shoot.”
Furthermore, he spoke about the difference between directing a series and a film, and said, “The differences are not many, but there is a much more realistic undertone in series nowadays, while films can be a little larger than life with songs in them, although we have a song in this series too. But I think the series has a little more realism, and I have also tried to capture it in Hack Crimes Online. It’s not very Bollywoodish. Secondly, the kind of topics that you take up also matter in films; we think towards commercial aspects, here we are not limited to that.”
Hack Crimes Online is streaming exclusively on Amazon miniTV. You can download the Amazon miniTV on Playstore or watch it within the Amazon Shopping App or Fire TV.
20, Nov 2023
On Sushmita Sen’s 48th birthday, here are 5 reasons why Sushmita Sen personifies as the fierce sherni!
Love, courage, and compassion – three words that summarize what Sushmita Sen is for us! She inspired us to lead a mindful life and never give up no matter what. Her personification of a mother turning Don to protect her children as Aarya Sareen in Disney+ Hotstar’s series Aarya truly brought out a wave of fierce depiction of women on screen. Join us in celebrating the OG Sherni’s birthday by recounting her unabashed moments from her life as Aarya.
Taking on a new challenge without a second thought
It’s never too late to take on new challenges and Sushmita Sen has proven it and how! Raising the bar of fitness, Sushmita Sen did all her action sequences by herself and diligently prepared for it. While this Sherni looked in the eye of the storm even when her health was tricky, her spirit remained unabashed.
Bouncing back stronger than ever!
We all know of the health scare Sushmita Sen went through during the filming of Disney+ Hotstar’s series Aarya Season 3 but without batting an eye, she got back to the sets stronger than ever. She inspired all of us and set an example that if we push for it, anything is possible. Not sure about you, but we think Sushmita Sen is truly a superwoman!
Embracing motherhood
We have seen Sushmita Sen’s loving role as a mother off and on screen and it made us feel closer to her candid self. So, when Sushmita Sen as Aarya Sareen fiercely walked the fire to protect her children and her family, we could see her motherhood flowing into the character and made us believe each and every word she spoke as a mother.
Practiced the art of learning and unlearning
From winning the title of Miss Universe to playing the deadliest Don, there’s nothing that Sushmita Sen hasn’t aced in life. She has never shied away from talking about her process with which she kept up with the world and unapologetically believed in her chosen path. With Aarya as well, she walked the delicate path of being the hero as well as the villain and came off as a character that the audience would relate with.
Looks like that could kill!
We are aware of the effect Sushmita Sen can have on people but if looks could kill, Sushmita Sen would top the charts! Sushmita Sen is a person that can own any look she wishes. In the Disney+ Hotstar series Aarya, we saw her in royal sarees to polished coats and she made it all look so mesmerizing.
20, Nov 2023
Over 3000 runners at Kanha Shanti Vanam and 13000 from around the world participate in the Granules Green Kanha Run’s 2nd edition for a greener planet
Hyderabad, 20 November 2023: Heartfulness Institute in association with Granules India launched its second edition of the Granules Green Kanha Run at Kanha Shanti Vanam (the headquarters of Heartfulness in the outskirts of Hyderabad) with over 3000 participants from Kanha Shanti Vanam and 13000 more joinings virtually from 60 cities from India and abroad. The first edition was successfully held earlier this year edition of the Green Kanha Run. The second edition is aimed at ‘racing into a greener future’ – an initiation of a grand venture to plant 25,000 trees in the three editions of the half marathon. The Granules Green Kanha Run is being supported by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and Fit India. Noted Indian cricketers Ravi Shastri, R Shridhar, and Bharat Arun have also voiced their support for the run.
The run was flagged off by Ms. Nandini Agasara (Asian Games Bronze Medalist in athletics) and Coach Mr. Ramesh for the 21km timed Sai Reddy Gudda Lake Run category. 10km timed Yatra Garden run was flagged off by Ms. Uma Chigurupati- Director of Granules India, (the Title Sponsor of the Granules Green Kanha Run), and Mr. Prateek Srivastav, Community Impact Lead, PayPal Hyderabad flagged off the 5km timed Forest run. Mrs. Pratima K. Patel- wife of beloved Rev. Daaji – Spiritual Guide of Heartfulness and President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission flagged off the 2km Family run. This is the first time the global run category has been introduced to encourage participants worldwide to join in from their locations, ensuring that distance is no barrier to making a difference.
Mr. Anil Arora- President and Head of Global Operations of Granules India, Mr. Anant Sanjeev Doogar- Director of Nile Mile, Marathon Partner of Granules Green Kanha Run; and Rev Daaji – Spiritual Guide of Heartfulness and President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission gave away the awards.
The flag-off timings (race timings) are 21km- 05:45 am; 10km- 06:25 am; 5km- 07:30 am and 2km- 07:50 am. Overall Winner was chosen based on Gun Time; Age Category winners were chosen based on Chip Time. A runner would start his race within 15 minutes from their respective Flag Off Time of the race. Cut-off time for finishing the race was 3hrs 30 mins for 21km; 90 mins for 10km; 60 mins for 5km: no cutoff time applicable for 2km.
Mrs. Uma Chigurupati, Executive Director – Granules India Limited said, “It is an exhilarating experience to see the level of participation. Fitness and the environment are the core of my heart. The Granules Green Kanha run has given the platform for the runners to show their support for both fitness and the environment. I hope the message reaches more and more people and they start taking fitness and environment as part of their daily lives.”
Rev. Daaji – Guide of Heartfulness and President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission said, “Our mission is to raise the green cover on earth and sensitize people on the importance of a healthy ecosystem. It also begins with holistic wellness and our relationship with the environment. Our ancient traditions have always taught us to worship nature. We have also associated our holistic wellness with respect for nature. The Granules Green Kanha Run is successfully driving the message.”
This year’s marathon editions are themed around Water, and the subsequent two-year marathons will be themed around Fire and Earth respectively – making for the three important nature elements that symbolize Heartfulness’s commitment to nurturing and safeguarding the environment. At the end of the three-year cycle, participants will interlock their earned medals from each year, forming a unified symbol of their contribution to a unified, healthier world.
In the first edition, 3,500 dedicated runners joined the movement, leading to the plantation of 4,000 trees. Esteemed personalities like Pulella Gopichand, Honourable Union Minister of Sports Shri Anurag Thakur ji, Honourable Minister of Sports for Telangana, Shri Srinivas Goud, and Uma Chigurupati from Granules were present, adding luster to the event and showing their staunch support for a healthier environment.
The Granules Green Kanha Run is being supported by Granules Trust as title sponsor apart from Hyderabad Runners as a community partner, Medicover Hospitals as Recovery and Medical partner, Decathalon as Gifting partner, Timing Miles as timing partner, Nile Mile as a marathon partner, Hira Pipes as goodwill sponsor and T-tales and Smart Farmers as Goodies Partner, Westin, Eblu, HTC Global Services, and Fever FM. All the proceeds of the marathon will go towards the Forests by Heartfulness initiative.
The Granules Green Kanha Run is a groundbreaking marathon event aiming to combine physical fitness and environmental responsibility. The event is a stride towards a significant change, nurturing a culture of health, unity, and environmental conservation.
20, Nov 2023
RBI’s new regulations for NBFCs by Mr. Umesh Revankar, Executive Vice Chairman, Shriram Finance
“The new regulatory measures from RBI certainly make everyone anxious and NBFCs will now do well to closely monitor their margins. The regulator is wary of multiple loans to individuals that are mostly happening in the digital lending space where the end use of the loan isn’t always crystal clear. I think most of the established NBFCs and banks are mindful of it and exercise fair control over their portfolio. Today, credit decisions rely heavily on data from the bureau and hence I believe there is no need to panic. The RBI must be having more data analytics and insight, maybe proactively drawing attention to the issue which is a good idea since it’s better to err on the side of caution.”
18, Nov 2023
Book Launch of RISE UP: Only You Can Lift Yourself By: Sumit Bhatt
Kolkata, 18th November 2023: “RISE UP: Only You Can Lift Yourself” is a guidebook that helps people become better in life. It has 16 chapters that talk about different things to make you stronger. This book was launched in Oxford Bookstore, Kolkata today afternoon by its very own author Sumit Bhatt, and was attended by: Ms. Melinda Pavek, US, Consul General, East; Ms. Saira Shah Hakim, Author, Educator, Activist; Mr. Prasenjit Saha, Founder & Head Madame Cakes; Mr. Imran Zaki, President of FACES; Mr. Alok Goyal, Managing Director of BDG Group; Mr. Pawan Patodia, Principal Owner of Kolkata Thunderbolts & many other eminent personalities.
In the beginning, the book tells you that you can face any challenge. It teaches you about having a good attitude, thinking that you can learn and get better, and not thinking you can’t do things. The book shows you how to find your reason for living, what you like to do, and make goals that match your beliefs. It also helps you be strong inside and feel good about yourself and others.
It tells you that it’s important to have friends and people who can help you. It talks about working hard and being disciplined to get better. The book says that when things don’t go your way, it’s a chance to learn. When you do well, it’s good to celebrate and be happy. It also says to inspire others and not be afraid of changes. The book talks about being calm, talking to others, being creative, and being happy and thankful. It also says to be strong for a long time. “RISE UP” is a helpful book with real stories and ideas to help you grow in your personal and work life. It tells you to lift yourself up and be strong when life is hard. It wants you to face challenges with a smile and keep going.
18, Nov 2023
Meghalaya’s Vision for Sustainable Development: Honourable Chief Minister Champions Youth Empowerment and Cultural Flourish
Mumbai/Shillong, 18th November: In a visionary address, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri. Conrad K Sangma unveiled a comprehensive roadmap for Meghalaya’s development, focusing on youth empowerment, cultural enrichment, and sustainable economic growth. Emphasizing the need to harness the creative potential of the youth, the Hon’ble CM outlined a multi-faceted strategy that encompasses the film industry, music, tourism, and entrepreneurship.
Focusing on the youth of the state, the Hon’ble Chief Minister said, “I want our youth to not just dream but to create, innovate, and lead. Meghalaya’s progress lies in the hands of its youth, and together, we will build a state that thrives on creativity, inclusivity, and sustainability.”
The Hon’ble Chief Minister articulated a bold vision for Meghalaya’s film industry, urging young talent to experiment and create. The government aims to promote the movie industry through both local and external approaches, with a particular emphasis on encouraging the state’s youth. Additionally, initiatives like the Meghalaya Grassroots Music Festival aim to showcase Meghalaya’s cultural richness to a global audience.
Highlighting the success of the Lakadong Turmeric Mission, the Hon’ble CM outlined a robust agricultural strategy. With a production of 50,000 metric tonnes involving 12,000 farmers with all the processing units powered by solar energy, Meghalaya sets an example of sustainability. The involvement of 45,000 women Self Help Groups further underlines the state’s commitment to economic engagement and empowerment of women.
Rendering focus on the flagship CM- ELEVATE Programme, which targets giving wings to the dreams of 20,000 entrepreneurs of the state, the Chief Minister said, “With substantial funding, proper training, and up to 75% subsidies for ventures like music studios and wellness centres, Meghalaya aims to create a strong entrepreneurial base, ensuring a resilient economic model for Meghalaya.
Firm measures to address ecological concerns, especially in mining, were outlined, emphasizing the need and the challenge for community support. The state’s rich biodiversity and scenic locations are to be leveraged for high-end, sustainable tourism, with a focus on community involvement. The Chief Minister also underscored the importance of Northeast India’s collaboration with South East Asia, drawing inspiration from Vietnam. Recognizing support from the Government of India, he highlighted Meghalaya’s developing Air and Road connectivity, and water supply among others. Honourable Chief Minister said, “Our growth in Jal Jeevan Mission stays unparalleled and we have achieved a running water tap connectivity from 0.75% to 61% and aim to cross above 90% by March 2024.”
The Chief Minister revealed ongoing discussions with the Honourable Prime Minister to elevate Meghalayan music on the global stage, further cementing the state’s cultural impact. As Meghalaya embarks on this transformative journey, the Chief Minister’s vision promises a dynamic future, rooted in the principles of inclusivity, sustainability, and economic prosperity.
18, Nov 2023
54th IFFI kicks off in Goa on November 20th with a celebration Of Indian cinema and culture
Mumbai Maharashtra, 18th November 2023: The 54th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) will be hosted in Goa from November 20th to 28th. While more than 250 films are being showcased across the various sections of the festival, all eyes are set on the gala opening ceremony being hosted on November 20th at Shamaprasad Indoor Stadium, Panaji, Goa.
The Opening ceremony is headlined by superstars Shahid Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit along with Shriya Saran, Nushratt Bharucha, Pankaj Tripathi, Shantanu Moitra, Shreya Ghoshal, and Sukhwinder Singh, while the ceremony is being hosted by Aparshakti Khurrana and Karishma Tanna.
Several dignitaries are expected to be present, along with eminent personalities from Indian cinema, including Sunny Deol, Vijay Sethupathi, Sara Ali Khan, Karan Johar, at the 54th IFFI opening ceremony, recognized as one of the biggest film and cultural extravaganzas in the world. Viacom Media Pvt. Ltd. is the exclusive media and broadcasting partner of the opening and closing ceremonies for the second consecutive year and will broadcast the ceremonies on India’s leading general entertainment channel COLORS and its OTT platform JioCinema. The star-studded ceremonies are produced by Wizcraft Entertainment Agency, the country’s leading producers of live events.
Speaking about IFFI, Hon’ble Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting and Youth Affairs and Sports, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur said, “IFFI has been growing every year thanks to the passion of our filmmakers from across the country and the collaboration that we have been able to forge with the directors and producers from across the world. As we take forward Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of strengthening India’s global position across all sectors, cinema, arts, and culture can empower our youth to foray into the world stage with stories that are global in essence and local at heart. Indeed, IFFI has become the perfect platform for establishing collaborations, joint productions, and cutting-edge technology.”
Says, Shri Apurva Chandra, Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, “The Indian media and entertainment industry has been growing at an average of 20 per cent annually over the last three years with a special focus on original stories for a global audience and use of state-of-the-art technology. This year, IFFI received a record number of 2926 entries from 105 countries, three times more than last year. While working along with the country’s film industry, our team’s efforts are aimed at pushing the boundaries to make the festival bigger and better with every new edition.”
Kevin Vaz, CEO – Broadcast Entertainment, Viacom18 said, “The world’s largest democracy is a fertile breeding ground for stories that cut across social, political, economic, and geographical boundaries. As the country’s foremost storytellers and entertainers, we believe it is our duty to take every story to its audience and every audience to their story. It is with this belief that we are partnering with IFFI for the second year in a row. This partnership aims to celebrate and unite cultures across the country and entertain, educate, and empower the world in the ethos of India.”
This year, IFFI has invited Indian actors and filmmakers to promote their upcoming films at the opening gala. Karan Johar and Sara Ali Khan with the team of Ae Watan Mere Watan will unveil the first look of the drama-thriller. Sukhwinder Singh will sing the film’s inspiring title track during the showcase. The film chronicles the journey of Usha Mehta who during the 1942 Quit India Movement started an underground radio station, Congress Radio, which for a few months broadcast uncensored and even banned news.
Pankaj Tripathi, Shantanu Moitra, Shreya Ghoshal, and Taba Chake will step into the spotlight to introduce the crime thriller Kadak Singh directed by National Award winner, Director Aniruddha Roy Choudhary. The film captures the story of AK Shrivastav, an officer in the Department of Financial Crimes who while battling retrograde amnesia exposes the truth behind a Chit Fund Scam. Actor Pankaj Tripathi maintains, “The IFFI festival has always offered a platform for inspiring stories and storytellers who unmask corruption and clean the system, thereby inspiring and empowering us.”
Superstar Vijay Sethupathi would unveil the trailer of the black comedy Gandhi Talks, a silent film in a present-day setting revolving around four characters, played by Vijay Sethupathi, Arvind Swami, Siddharth Jadhav, and Aditi Rao Hydari.
For its star acts, IFFI has roped in Madhuri Dixit to recreate a medley of her chartbusters. “Cinema has given me so much, it’s time to give something back in return. What better way to do so than through song and dance which is integral to not just Indian cinema, but Indian culture as well,” asserts the Bollywood diva. Madhuri Dixit was recognized as the Indian Film Personality of the Year at last year’s edition of the festival.
The brilliant actor, Shahid Kapoor, will set the stage on fire with his superhit parade. “Doing great work comes naturally when you’re passionate about what you do. And performing in front of a live audience is something I’ve truly loved ever since I can remember… Thanks to IFFI I get to do that one more time in Goa on November 20th. See you there!” he says.
The naach-gaana continues with Nushrratt Bharuccha and IFFI celebrating ‘The India Story’. While RRR’s “Naatu Naatu” brings back Oscar glory, Pushpa’s “Sami Sami” represents the growing popularity of South Indian cinema. “Jhoome jo Pathaan” and Jawan’s “Not Ramaiya Vastavaiya” celebrate the resurrection of Hindi cinema while 83’s “Jeetega Jeetega” celebrates Chandrayaan 3’s successful landing and India’s Asian Games wins.
From rustic celebrations to classy soirees and regional fiestas, Shriya Saran shows us how India parties with the Tamil song “Allegra Allegra”, the Kannada chartbuster “Ra Ra Rakkamma”, the Malayalam hit “Kalapakkarra”, “Boss Party” from the Telugu film Waltair Veeraya and “Show Me The Thumka” from Bollywood’s Tu Jhooti Main Makkaar.
The celebrations will continue over a week. Shri Prithul Kumar, Festival Director- IFFI (Jt. Secretary (Films) & MD/NFDC) informs, “This IFFI will have 13 World Premieres, 18 International Premieres, 62 Asia Premieres, and 89 India Premieres. These films, which transcend all borders and cultures, represent the best of Indian and world cinema. This carries forward the compelling obligation to continue the legacy of showcasing cinematic excellence at the 54th IFFI. The Festival Team is working tirelessly to make sure that the participants enjoy the outstanding films, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and leave with memories that will last a lifetime”
The Festival would be graced by Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Salman Khan, Vidya Balan, Ayushmann Khurrana, Anupam Kher, Vicky Kaushal, Siddharth Malhotra, Aditi Rao Hydari, AR Rahman, Shreya Ghoshal, Shantanu Moitra, Sukhwinder Singh, Amit Trivedi, among celebrated filmmakers.
The closing ceremony will be headlined by Ayushmann Khurrana and renowned music composer Amit Trivedi.
Ayushmann will deliver an energetic performance and will pay tribute to Michael Douglas, the recipient of the Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award.
Amit Trivedi will curate a special rendition of the Sounds of Bharat, alongside a medley of his superhit songs.
There will be a specially curated performance by the ‘Harmony of the Pines’ orchestra of the Himachal Pradesh police arousing nationalistic fervour.
At the closing ceremony, several awards and special honours will be presented for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor (Male) and (Female), ‘Special Jury Award’, ‘Best Web Series on an OTT Platform’, ‘Indian Film Personality of the Year’, ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal.
The opening ceremony on November 20th and the closing ceremony on November 28th will begin with a red carpet hosted by Karan Chhabra and Nashpreet Kaur. The showcase that follows will celebrate our icons and the rise of popular South Indian cinema in pan-India and global markets. The lively performances featuring different dance styles, set to popular film songs, underline the festival’s theme of ‘India through the movies’, showcasing the unity and diversity of our culture.
