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Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival: Javed Akhtar Conferred With Padmapani Lifetime Achievement Award
Ajanta-Ellora International Film Festival: Mr. Javed Akhtar was speaking on the occasion of 9th Ajanta-Ellora Film Festival's (AIFF 2024) inauguration at Rukmini Auditorium, MGM Campus, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar. An annual celebration of acclaimed films from around India and the world, the festival was inaugurated today at the hands of noted film director R. Balki.
Famous film director Anubhav Sinha was the chef guest of the ceremony. The NFDC's Head of Department of Film Festivals of India, Ms. Goury Niar, Joint Managing Director, Filmcity, Mumbai Sanjay Patil, Founder-Chairman of AIFF, Nandkishor Kagliwas, Chief Mentor of AIFF, Ankushrao Kadam, Festival Director Ashok Rane, Artistic Director of AIFF Chandrakant Kulkarni, along with several national and international artists, film lovers, and eminent personalities from different walks of life, were present on the occasion.
Javed Akhtar receives Padmapani Lifetime Achievement Award
Mr. Javed Akhtar further said, "Maharashtra is a land where art is appreciated. I came to Mumbai when I was 20 years old. I saw Marathi drama for the first time and it changed my perspective. Since then this soil has been giving me newer perspectives every day. Here, common citizens love and care about literature, art, poetry, drama, film, dance and music, and I think, and I see a ray of hope in this." Mr. Akhtar also underlined the need to carry forward this legacy.
Mr. R. Balki officially inaugurated the festival. Speaking on the occasion, he praised AIFF and said that it's an absolute joy to watch films in film festivals. It's a very enriching experience.
Mr. Anubhav Sinha also praised AIFF for playing an instrumental role in the establishment of a film institute (MGM School of Film Arts). He appealed to students to make the most of this learning opportunity.
Founder-Chairman of AIFF, Mr. Nandkishor Kagliwal, underlined the importance of the Ajanta-Ellora Film Festival for the city and how it is providing a valuable platform for talent from the region.
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Chief Mentor of AIFF and Chancellor of MGM University, Mr. Ankushrao Kadam, expressed hope through his presidential address that the young generation would now be more careful about which films they watch. He also assured that MGM School of Film Arts will walk the path shown by Mr. Javed Akhtar.
The artistic director of AIFF, Mr. Chandrakant Kulkarni, illustrated the idea behind the festival. He also narrated how he grew up watching films of Javed Akhtar and how they cultivated the spirit of secularism in him.
The Festival Director of AIFF, Mr. Ashok Rane, thanked Mr. Javed Akhtar for receiving the Padmapani Lifetime Achievement Award and gracing the festival. He also appealed to citizens to watch the carefully selected films over the next four days.
AIFF is organised by the Marathwada Art, Culture, and Film Foundation and presented by Nath Group, MGM University, and the Yashwantrao Chavan Centre, Mumbai. It has the proud endorsement of FIPRESCI, a renowned international federation of film critics, and FFSI, the Federation of Film Societies of India. It also enjoys the support of the Government of Maharashtra and the National Film Development Corporation Ltd, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.
The Nath School of Business Management and Technology (NSBT) and the Abhyudaya Foundation are the co-organisers of the festival. Dailyhunt is the digital media partner, the MGMU School of Film Arts is the academic partner, and MGM Radio FM 90.8 is the radio partner of the festival.
After the opening ceremony, Fallen Lives, the globally acclaimed German movie of this year, was screened at Inox, Prozone Mall, where the festival will continue for the next four days.
Lifetime Achievement Award to Javed Akhtar
The Padmapani Lifetime Achievement Award was conferred upon the legendary poet, lyricist, and screenwriter Javed Akhtar for his invaluable contributions to Indian cinema during the opening ceremony.
Veteran actor and director and Chairperson of the Indian Competition Jury Dhritiman Chatterjee (Kolkata), acclaimed cinematographer Dimo Popov (Czech Republic), senior director Nachiket Patwardhan (Pune), senior film critic and Jury Rashmi Doraiswamy (Delhi) and renowned cinematographer Hari Nair (Panaji), Fipresci Jury Chairperson N. Manu Chakravarthy (Bangalore), Sreedevi P. Arvind (Cochin) and Sachin Chatte (Panaji) were also felicitated on the occasion.
The program was moderated by Purvi Bhave in English and Neeta Pansare-Valvekar in Marathi. The Vote of Thanks was given by AIFF Convener, Mr. Nilesh Raut.
Highlights of AIFF
In addition to the screening of over 60 films, which include some of the most acclaimed films of the year across the globe, the festival will host the following key events:
1- A Masterclass by R. Balki, the director of sensitive films like Paa, Chini Kam, Ghumar, Shamitabh, and Padman has been organized on Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 2 pm at Inox.
2- On Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 6.00 PM, an Exclusive Interview of the legendary poet, lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar will be held at Inox, Prozone Mall. Director Jayprad Desai will have a candid conversation with him.
3-Another Masterclass by Anubhav Sinha, the director of films like Article 15, Thappad, Ra-One and Mulk has been scheduled on Friday, January 5, 2024 at 2 PM at Inox, Prozone Mall.
4- On Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 2.30 PM, a special lecture on 'Gandhi and Cinema' by Central Government-PIB Senior Officer Prakash Magadum has been organized.
5- On Saturday, January 6, 2024 at 6.30 pm, there will be an interactive session - 'Meet the Directors' with all the directors of the Indian Competition has been organized. Here film buffs will have an opportunity to interact with and ask questions to the directors.
6- On January 7, 2024 at 12.00 noon, a special interaction session will be held with veteran actor and director Dritiman Chatterjee on 'Understanding Mrinal Sen'. Mr. Chatterjee has played the lead actor in many of director Mrinal Sen's films.
The complete schedule of the 9th AIFF is available on: www.aifilmfest.in
Indian Competition
All five days of the festival are packed with enchanting programmes, including different film sections. Like every year, this year too has a separate Indian competition of nine Indian films in different languages. These films will be judged by a five-member national-level jury who will watch the films with the audience in the theatre. The winner in this category will be awarded the Golden Kailash Award and a cash prize of one lakh rupees. The best actor, best actress, and best script will also be rewarded individually.
