Mumbai, the heart of India’s vibrant film industry, is once again alive with the magic of cinema as the 12th edition of the Jagran Film Festival (JFF) continues to draw audiences. Renowned as India’s largest traveling film festival, JFF has always been a platform for celebrating the art of storytelling and its transformative power. With a rich history of showcasing India cinema’s beauty, this year’s edition has brought together an eclectic mix of filmmakers, actors, industry professionals, and film lovers to explore the essence of “Good Cinema for Everyone.”
Over the past 100 days, the festival has traveled across 18 cities and 11 states, garnering massive attention for its inclusivity and diversity. From a pool of 4,787 submissions, 292 exceptional films have been carefully curated, spanning features, shorts, and documentaries in 78 languages. With the closing chapter of this year’s festival unfolding in Mumbai, the second day of the Jagran Film Festival brought together a star-studded lineup of Bollywood icons, celebrated filmmakers, and budding talents, delivering a day filled with engaging discussions, personal anecdotes, and inspiring insights.
The day two of the festival kicked off with an engaging ‘In Conversation’ session with Madhoo, the beloved actress from the iconic Roja. With her signature charm, Madhoo took the audience on a nostalgic ride through her career. Reflecting on the early days, she shared how she stayed in village lodges during shoots and discussed the genius of A.R. Rahman’s music for gentlemen. One of the most fascinating moments came when Madhoo revealed the behind-the-scenes of Roja’s dubbing process. “I was shocked to learn that another artist had dubbed my voice for the Hindi version, despite my nine days of hard work on the Tamil version,” she shared. “To preserve the authenticity, I completed the Hindi dubbing in just one day!” Madhoo also discussed how acting was never part of her original plan. “Fate led me into this industry,” she confessed. She also touched on the impact of social media, describing platforms like Instagram as “a boon,” allowing stars and fans to connect directly in once unimaginable ways.
Next, Shilpa Shetty graced the stage with an inspiring session that delved into personal growth, body positivity, and the power of cinema. She spoke about the changing film industry, from the days when fans had to visit theaters to today’s digital age, where stars are just a click away. Reflecting on her career, Shilpa opened up about her own journey, highlighting how love, relationships, and passion have shaped both her career and personal life. A memorable moment from the session was when Shilpa discussed her iconic role in Baazigar, particularly the dramatic scene where Shah Rukh Khan’s character pushes her off a building. She admitted that, at the time, she was young and unsure of how to react to such a dramatic moment in her career. Shilpa also spoke fondly of her role in Dhadkan, a film that holds a special place in her heart. Known for her authenticity, she delved into the topic of body positivity, revealing the insecurities she struggled with over the years. However, she shared how embracing self-acceptance has been one of the most empowering journeys of her life. Her wisdom, openness, and charismatic presence left the audience feeling inspired and motivated to embrace life’s challenges with confidence and a fresh perspective.
Another exciting moment on Day 2 was the session with Kriti Kharbanda and director Ratnaa Sinha. Kriti, reflecting on her journey and the success of Shaadi Mein Zaroor Aana, shared how moving from Delhi to Hyderabad and then Bangalore shaped her career. She credited her parents for always supporting her dreams. She also expressed her gratitude for working with talented stars like Rajkummar Rao and emphasized how important it is to believe in oneself.
Ratnaa Sinha also chimed in, discussing how casting stars like Vicky Kaushal and Rajkummar Rao has been a game-changer in Indian cinema. Kriti got real about women empowerment, passionately stating that marriage shouldn’t hold women back from chasing their dreams. She encouraged aspiring artists to trust their instincts and keep learning while observing how directors bring their vision to life. Ending on a high note, Kriti shared an empowering message for the youth be fearless, fight for your goals, and embrace resilience. The session also sparked a lively discussion on the evolving Bollywood landscape and the need for more content-driven films that truly connect with audiences.
Day 2 also featured a promotional event for the film Tumko Meri Kasam, where filmmaker Vikram Bhatt and actress Adah Sharma discussed their professional journeys and shared valuable insights on the evolving nature of the film industry. Vikram Bhatt revealed plans to launch a free platform for aspiring actors, giving them an opportunity to showcase their talents through a picture, short video, and role details. He emphasized that acting is about more than just looks; it’s about the depth and emotion in an actor’s eyes—a powerful quote that resonated deeply with the audience.
Adah Sharma shared her experience playing an intense role in The Kerala Story, discussing the emotional toll the character took on her. She revealed that she felt depressed after immersing herself in the heavy research required for the role, even considering therapy to process the emotional burden. However, she expressed immense pride in her contribution to the film and acknowledged the deep impact it had on audiences. This heartfelt discussion provided a candid look into the personal and professional challenges actors face in bringing powerful stories to life.
The 12th edition of the Jagran Film Festival (JFF) continues to wow audiences with its celebration of innovative filmmaking and exceptional storytelling. The Mumbai leg is set to offer even more exciting highlights, including “Grammar of Cinema” panel, where industry veterans like Kumud Mishra, Saurabh Sachdeva, Gopal Dutt, and Shubhrajyoti Barat will dive deep into the dynamic relationship between theatre and cinema, moderated by Vidushi Chadha.
As the festival continues on March 9, 2025, attendees can look forward to a special In Conversation session with the legendary Pankaj Kapur, followed by a Theatre & Cinema panel featuring Makrand Deshpande, Seema Pahwa, Dev Faujdar, and Jayant Deshmukh. The day will conclude with an inspiring In Conversation session with the Oscar-winning sound designer, Resul Pookutty, moderated by Mehak Kasbekar. The 12th JFF promises to be an enriching celebration of cinema, storytelling, and creativity.
Link:
https://jff.co.in/about-us/
Event Details:
The Jagran Film Festival in Mumbai will take place at Fun Cinemas, Andheri West, from 6th to 9th March 2025, with the prestigious Awards Ceremony held in the evening at JW Marriott, Juhu on 9th March 2025.
