Jagran Film Festival 2025 Delhi Chapter Wraps with Four Days of Cinematic Magic, Conversations, and Celebrations

 New Delhi:  The curtains came down on the Delhi chapter of the 13th edition of Rajnigandha Presents Jagran Film Festival (JFF) at Siri Fort Auditorium, after four days that turned the capital into the beating heart of Indian and world cinema. From celebrating iconic milestones like Sholay at 50 and the centenary of Guru Dutt, to hosting world premieres, masterclasses, emotional exchanges, and introducing fresh talent, JFF 2025 reaffirmed its position as the world’s largest traveling film festival and one of India’s most inclusive cultural gatherings.

The festival opened on an inspiring note 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, followed by the grand inauguration ceremony, graced by dignitaries and film personalities, where Union Minister of Railways of India Ashwini Vaishnaw lauded JFF as one of the most impactful platforms for aspiring filmmakers and audiences, especially from smaller cities. Day 2 spotlighted the future of cinema through Kiran Rao’s Humans in the Loop, a thought-provoking panel on AI and storytelling, a heartfelt tribute to Guru Dutt led by R. Balki, and an interactive live audition session by casting director Mukesh Chhabra that had the audience laughing, crying, and performing.  Day 3 unfolded as the festival’s most emotional chapter, anchored by Ankur Suman—the writer of Anupam Kher’s Tanvi The Great. A heartfelt parent’s testimony during the session moved the hall to tears, setting a deeply personal tone for the day. The energy then shifted with engaging conversations featuring Jaideep Ahlawat, Rajat Kapoor, and the ever-charming Inayat Verma, whose wit and honesty lit up the room. The evening culminated in a stirring dialogue with Rajat Kapoor around his poignant film Putul, leaving the audience reflective and misty-eyed. The finale on Day 4 raised the bar even higher—marking 50 glorious years of Sholay, unveiling Love in Vietnam with Shantanu Maheshwari and Avneet Kaur,masterclasses with casting director Shruti Mahajan, and marquee sessions with Divya Khosla Kumar and Umesh Shukla as they promoted their upcoming film; Ek Chatur Naar and Kajol along with director Umesh Bist whose conversation about The Trial: Pyaar Kaanoon Dokha Season 2 Season 2 left audiences inspired. The evening closed with back-to-back premieres of Umesh Shukla’s Ek Chatur Naar and French drama Valensole 1965, sealing Delhi’s chapter with historic cinematic brilliance. Audiences also witnessed a fascinating masterclass on VFX & AI by Pradeep Sawant, National Academic Head of MAAC, followed by an insightful session on Virtual Production: Transforming Filmmaking Workflows led by expert Ashish Ranjan. Independent filmmakers such as Mayur Popat (Yun, Hum Mile), Devyani Anant (Bicycle Days), Manpreet Dhami (His Story of Itihas), and Ashwin Kaushal (No Hijaab), among many others, found a strong spotlight at Jagran Film Festival 2025, with their stories receiving both appreciation and a dedicated platform to connect with audiences in Delhi. From powerful narratives to experimental storytelling, these films added a fresh and diverse dimension to the four-day festival, reinforcing JFF’s vision of nurturing and celebrating new voices in cinema. Reflecting on the overwhelming response, Basant Rathore, Senior VP – Strategy & Business Development, Jagran Prakashan Ltd., said: “Every year, Jagran Film Festival proves that cinema has the power to unite people beyond language, geography, and background. The Delhi chapter has shown us once again that stories matter, whether told by legends or first-time filmmakers, on the big screen or through conversations. After a successful chapter in Delhi, we now look forward to taking the festival to the other cities and taking cinema to the people, wherever they are.” The festival’s vision was echoed by prominent leaders too, with Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, Hon’ble Minister for Railways; Information & Broadcasting; Electronics & Information Technology, who graced the inaugral ceremony of the festival in Delhi praised the festival saying, “Jagran Film Festival is one of the most impactful platforms for aspiring filmmakers and audiences, particularly from smaller cities.” Reflecting on his relationship with JFF, Manoj Bajpayee said, “I am very happy that the film is screening before the world at Jagran Film Festival, as my relation with them goes a long way and Jagran helped him promote his films initially when he began actin.g”  During a very fun and interesting casting and live audition session on the second day of the festival, Mukesh Chhabrajoked, “I come to Delhi for Chole Bhature and Jagran Film Festival. Honestly, this festival is very close to my heart, I come every year and I enjoy being amidst so many talented people!”Talking about choosing roles and sharing his experiences in the masterclass, actor Jaideep Ahlawat said, “Kahaani ka Nayak nahi hota, Nayak ki Kahaani hoti hai (It’s never the story of the hero, it’s the hero’s story that matters). It’s important to choose the story; the hero will automatically come into the picture. Do not run behind the role, but see the strength of the story.”Offering an intimate look into her upcoming role as Noyonika Sengupta in The Trial Season 2 – Pyaar. Kaanoon. Dhokha at the last day of Jagran Film Festival 2025 in Delhi, legendary actress Kajol said, “ I absolutely love Noyonika Sengupta, she is my favourite. As Kajol, I would want to have a best friend like Noyonika.”As the Delhi curtains fall, JFF 2025 now travels to Kanpur, Lucknow from 19th to 21 September, and other cities, continuing its mission to democratize cinema, spark dialogue, and celebrate the storytellers who shape our times. With every stop, the festival carries forward its promise: to be more than a showcase of films, but a journey of discovery, emotion, and inspiration.