Author: Jyothi Venkatesh

The 24th Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) is set to conclude with a grand closing ceremony on Thursday, 22 January, at Balgandharva Rangmandir, marking the end of eight days of cinematic celebration. The event, scheduled to begin at 5 pm, will be attended by Maharashtra’s Minister for Cultural Affairs, Ashish Shelar, along with leading figures from the Indian and international film community. Dr Jabbar Patel, President and Festival Director of PIFF, confirmed that the closing ceremony will feature several prestigious honours recognising outstanding contributions to cinema and music. Veteran actors Biswajit Chatterjee, Farida Jalal, and Asha Kale will receive the…

Pune witnessed an emotionally rich cinematic showcase at the 24th Pune International Film Festival (PIFF), where Indian and international films explored themes of memory, identity, love, and human resilience. Among the most anticipated screenings was Mayasabha, the upcoming feature by Tumbbad director Rahi Anil Barve, which drew strong attention from film enthusiasts and critics alike. Speaking at the festival, Barve described the setting of his film as an essential character in itself. “My film has five main characters. Four are human, and the fifth is the single-screen theatre where the story unfolds,” he said. Mayasabha, featured in the Indian Cinema…

The 24th Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) continues to celebrate cinema as a reflection of humanity, drawing audiences with a diverse selection of international, regional, and independent films. Veteran actress Seema Biswas took centre stage to discuss her roles in the bilingual features Murders Too Close and Love Too Far, describing the creative journey as transformative. “Every film is a learning process,” she said, speaking to an enthusiastic audience about the films’ simple yet deeply meaningful narratives. Biswas praised her collaborators, director Dan Wolman and writer Manju Borah, for their thoughtful approach to sensitive subjects. “Working in a different country…

At the 24th Pune International Film Festival (PIFF), Marathi filmmakers opened up about their creative journeys, offering audiences an intimate glimpse into the challenges and inspirations behind this year’s most talked-about independent films. The interactive session, titled “Voices of Tomorrow: Conversations with Today’s Marathi Competition,” was moderated by PIFF Deputy Director Vishal Shinde and featured both debutants and veteran directors. Jijivisha Kale, director of Tighee, reflected on her 12-year journey from assistant on Vazandar to helming her own film. She emphasized the importance of collaboration: “No matter how intense your passion is, your story cannot move forward without the right…

Indian actress Dia Mirza is celebrating 25 years in the film industry this year, marking the milestone with her iconic debut film Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein. Over a quarter-century, Mirza has built a career that defies easy categorisation. Actor, producer, author, environmental advocate, and investor—each role she has undertaken reflects deliberate choices rather than detours, establishing her as one of Indian cinema’s rare modern polymaths. Cinema as a Deliberate Choice Mirza’s filmography shows a career guided by intention. From emotionally grounded roles in Thappad and Sanju to physically demanding, stereotype-defying performances in Dhak Dhak, her work consistently explores complex…

Pune, January 19, 2026: Israeli filmmaker Dan Wolman delivered a powerful message to emerging directors at the Pune International Film Festival, urging them to remain persistent and continue creating films regardless of limitations. Speaking during a session titled From Constraints to Creativity: Thriving as an Independent Filmmaker, Wolman emphasised that consistency, not perfection, is the foundation of long-term success in cinema. Addressing a hall filled with young filmmakers and cinema students, Wolman advised creatives not to wait for ideal conditions before starting projects. He encouraged directors to focus on stories that are practical to produce, suggesting the selection of narratives…

Pune: The 24th Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) turned into a vibrant meeting ground of diverse cinematic voices as filmmakers and actors presented stories that stretched the boundaries of narrative form, emotion and social reflection. From psychological thrillers rooted in decaying theatres to quiet meditations on memory, nature and caste, this year’s selections offered audiences a layered and immersive experience. One of the most anticipated Indian entries at the festival was Mayasabha, the upcoming Hindi feature by Tumbbad director Rahi Anil Barve. Speaking at PIFF, Barve described the film as a departure from conventional storytelling. He said the narrative does…

The 24th Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) is showcasing Marathi films that explore journeys of transition and acceptance. Two notable films this year are Baapya and Sohla. Baapya, directed by Sameer Tewari, is a dramatic comedy about accepting people as they are, regardless of gender or social background. The film, part of PIFF’s Marathi competition category, follows a mother, Shailaja (Rajashri Deshpande), who undergoes a sex change and returns to her son after ten years as Dr Shailesh Patil. Her ex-husband Anyaa (Girish Kulkarni) and their son face a series of dramatic and humorous events as they adjust to this…

The Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) continues to bring world-class cinema to Indian audiences, showcasing two of the year’s most celebrated European films: the Norwegian drama Sentimental Value and the intense thriller Sirāt. Both films are fresh from their success at the European Film Awards and are set to captivate viewers in Pune this week. Leading the lineup is Sentimental Value, directed by Joachim Trier. The film recently swept multiple European awards, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and acting honours for Stellan Skarsgård and Renate Reinsve. It was also a Grand Prix winner at the Cannes Film Festival.…

Serbian filmmaker Goran Radovanović urged independent filmmakers to focus on small films that highlight local issues rather than chasing big festivals and awards. His insights came during a lecture titled “Lessons for Regional Cinema” at the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF), attended by festival director Dr. Jabbar Patel. Focus on Local Stories Radovanović advised, “Instead of pursuing grand themes and high-budget productions, create films that reflect the stories and issues of your own region. That is where the future lies. Make films that you love and that bring you satisfaction. Don’t chase awards.” He added, “Small artistic film festivals and…