As the nation celebrated its 79th year of independence, the capital hosted a celebration that went far beyond flag hoisting and patriotic speeches. From 8 to 10 August, the NCUI Auditorium was transformed into a cinematic stage for the Celebrating India Film Festival (CIFF 2025), a three-day tribute to the country’s stories, dreams, and voices. Here, reels played with entertainment and the heartbeat of a nation.
After the inaugural ceremony, the Main Auditorium came alive with Madhur Bhandarkar’s India Lockdown, a compelling portrait of human endurance during the pandemic. Audiences then moved into nostalgia with Manoj Kumar’s 187-minute epic Kranti. Meanwhile, Beta Hall showcased intimate shorts like Bahi and Pankh, each offering a small but powerful glimpse into deeply personal histories. By evening, conversations in Alpha Hall were shaping new perspectives on representation, with filmmaker R.S. Prasanna speaking openly about breaking stereotypes and creating culturally inclusive narratives.
If the first day sparked the flame, the second made it blaze. The 4K-restored Umrao Jaan showcased Rekha’s timeless elegance. Short films by the Film Critics Guild, like Behrupriya and Virundhu, delivered sharp stories. Documentaries such as Pavazha, Corals, and Culinary Heritage of India explored landscapes and kitchens passionately. Hema Sardesai’s From Bhava to Beat reflected on music’s evolving soul; Gaurav Dhingra and Sudipto Sengupta examined the challenges of filmmaking honestly. The night ended with A Boy Who Dreamt of Electricity, celebrating perseverance.
Call Me Dancer opened proceedings before Mukam Post Devnacha Ghar, Marathi dialogues flowing like music. Beta Hall’s FTII Shorts Spectrum showcased voices: Raman Kumar’s portrayal of Kaifi Azmi, Payal Kapadia’s And What Is the Summer Saying, and Chidananda Naik’s Sunflowers Were the First Ones to Know, each with quiet luminosity. Midday discussions had a different energy.
The FTII’s Masterclass on the language of cinema drew aspiring filmmakers to the edge of their seats; a panel on the evolving language of Indian film offered insights from seasoned critics; and then, Bharatbala guided the audience through the preservation of culture via the Virtual Bharat project. Speaking then, Kapil Mishra, Minister of Art, Culture, and Languages, Government of Delhi, said, “I commend every filmmaker whose work illuminated this festival, and I propose that the next edition of CIFF be organised in partnership with the Delhi Government, so together, we can make this celebration of India even grander.”
Later, Geetanjali Mishra’s presence in the discussion on Everyday India, Extraordinary Roles brought an actor’s intimacy to the dialogue. At the same time, Grammy Award–winner Ricky Kej took the stage to weave an extraordinary tapestry of sound. His composition, Gandhi, Mantra of Compassion, masterfully fused themes of sustainability, music, and the planet into one evocative narrative.
In the finale, Rekha Gupta, the Chief Minister of Delhi, took the stage to share her thoughts: “CIFF 2025 has celebrated Delhi’s artistic spirit and our dedication to the arts. We are preparing a new state film policy. We also want to host film shoots, hold a Filmfare Award, and organise a film festival in Delhi.”
The evening sparkled with the presence of Dr Annu Kapoor, Ricky Kej and Hema Sardesai, her voice echoing the richness of our shared cultural heritage.
