23rd Pune International Film Festival to honour veterans, pay tribute to Raj Kapoor

Celebrating Raj Kapoor’s centenary

This year, PIFF volition wage tribute to the legendary filmmaker and histrion Raj Kapoor, marking his commencement centenary. “This year’s taxable for PIFF 2025 is ‘Show Man: Raj Kapoor,’ celebrating his immense publication to Indian cinema,” said Dr Jabbar Patel.

Honouring Indian cinema’s veterans

PIFF 2025 volition honour seasoned artists–Shubha Khote, Kavita Krishnamurthy and Anupam Kher–who person made important contributions to Indian cinema. Dr Jabbar said, “Shubha Khote has had a singular vocation spanning implicit 200 films and respective TV shows successful some Hindi and Marathi cinema. Some of her notable films see ‘Ek Duuje Ke Liye’, ‘Chhoti Behan’, ‘Dil Ek Mandir’, ‘Dil Tera Deewana’, ‘Paying Guest’, ‘Bharosa’, ‘Sasural’, and ‘Seema.’”

Speaking astir seasoned playback vocalist Kavita Krishnamurthy, Dr Patel said, “She has recorded implicit 18,000 songs and won 4 Filmfare Best Playback Singer Awards. She was honoured with the Padma Shri successful 2005. Some of her astir iconic songs see ‘Aankh Maare’ (Mohra), ‘Dola Re Dola’ (Devdas), and ‘Tu Cheez Badi Hai Mast Mast’ (Mohra).”

He added, Anupam Kher has had a prolific vocation spanning implicit 540 films crossed aggregate languages. He has received 2 National Film Awards and 8 Filmfare Awards for his performances. Kher has besides served arsenic the Director of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune.”

Inaugural ceremony

“The festival’s inaugural ceremonial volition instrumentality spot astatine Ganesh Kala Krida Manch connected February 13 astatine 5 pm. It volition beryllium inaugurated by Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar. The ceremonial volition diagnostic a peculiar show by renowned percussionist Vijay Chavan, followed by the screening of the Italian movie ‘Gloria,’ directed by Margherita Vicario, arsenic the opening film. The festival volition reason connected February 20 astatine Balgandharva Rangmandir, featuring the Spanish movie ‘The Room Next Door’ by Pedro Almodóvar arsenic the closing film.

Jury

During a property conference, Abhijeet Ranadive, a Selection Commission Member of the Films, revealed the names of the festival’s planetary assemblage members. “Marco Bechis – Chilean-Italian movie manager and screenwriter, Margarida Gil – Portuguese filmmaker and teacher, Petri Kotwica – Finnish filmmaker, Tamineh Milani – Iranian filmmaker and screenwriter, Djordje Stojilikovic – cinematographer from Serbia, Sudath Mahaadivulwewa – Sri Lankan movie director, Archana – South Indian actress, and Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury – Indian movie director, person each played a important relation successful selecting and grading films for assorted categories,” said Abhijeet Ranadive.

Samara Nakhate, different Selection Commission Member, said, “Workshops play a important relation successful bridging the spread betwixt aspiring filmmakers and manufacture veterans. They connection a level for learning, discussion, and innovation. This year, we person an awesome lineup of sessions that volition supply invaluable insights into assorted aspects of cinema.”

On the docket of the workshop, Samara said, “On February 14, Swati Mhase Patil volition behaviour a league connected the ‘Government Scheme to Promote Marathi Cinema,’ which volition assistance filmmakers recognize the fiscal and argumentation enactment available. On February 15, renowned filmmakers Umesh Kulkarni, Anupama Shrinivasan, Sarvnik Kaur, and Kuldeep Barve volition pb a ‘Talk connected Documentary.’ The ‘Vijay Tendulkar Memorial Lecture connected Acting’ by Boman Irani connected February 16 volition supply heavy insights into the trade of performance. On February 17, Swapan Kumar Mallick and Goutam Ghosh volition contiguous ‘Cinema and Soul: Tapan Sinha,’ celebrating the legendary filmmaker’s creator contributions. On February 18, Pacco Torres volition delve into the evolving scenery of filmmaking with ‘Creating Content with AI Films.’ Additionally, connected February 19, the Marathi sheet discussion, ‘Challenges successful Marathi Cinema: From Production to Audience,’ featuring Paresh Mokashi, Aditya Sarpotdar, Adinath Kothare, and Sunil Phadtare, volition code cardinal manufacture challenges and opportunities successful the determination cinema space.”

The films would beryllium screened astatine PVR Icon astatine Pavilion Mall (6 screens), INOX astatine Camp (3 screens), and Cinepolis astatine Westend Mall, Aundh (2 screens).