Latest news with #IFFI
NDTV
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Jim Sarbh Reacts To The Buzz Of Playing The Younger Version Of The Late Mr Ratan Tata In A Biopic
New Delhi: The buzz around Jim Sarbh being a part of Ratan Tata's biopic has been making the rounds for a while. Zee Studios had made an official announcement, followed by Ratan Tata's passing away, to honour his legacy. While the exact date is not known, several reports ranging from October 2024 to May 2025 wrote about the possibility. Ratan Tata passed away on October 9, 2024. Soon rumours about Jim Sarbh being the perfect fit to play young Ratan Tata surfaced online. The similarities in their looks made fans want to see it happen. The plot of the documentary-style biopic is said to revolve around Tata's incredible leadership for the Tata Group and his commendable philanthropic activities. Now recently in a conversation with Bollywood Bubble, Jim Sarbh reacted to the ongoing rumours and how he too has seen his pictures being compared to the late Ratan Tata. Jim said, "That would be great. Yeah, I saw pictures of him when he was young, there is a vague similarity. Yeah, I'd love to play it. It would be a great role." No official confirmation has come from the production team on work getting started on the project, nor has there been any talks regarding the cast. While one section of people said that Jim Sarbh qualified to be a perfect pick to play the young Ratan Tata, another section believed Boman Irani or Naseeruddin Shah could be cast as Senior Tata. On the work front, Jim Sarbh's film Pune Highway was screened at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa in November 2024. The film also has Amit Sadh in a key role. The trailer of the film was released on May 2, 2025, and hit the screens on May 16.
Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Lights, camera, inaction: In Arunachal, first batch of Film and Television Institute has a rough start
Eight years after Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the institute, the first batch of students arrived at the Film and Television Institute, Arunachal Pradesh (FTI AP) in March this year. Two months in, most students are on academic strike after finding that the institute was far from ready to welcome them: From incomplete classrooms and technical infrastructure to hostels and even the main gate of the campus still under construction. The FTI AP is an academic institute under the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, administered by the prestigious Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute (SRFTI), Kolkata. It is slated to be the first national institute of its kind after SRFTI and FTII Pune and is located in Jote, 24 kilometres from Arunachal Pradesh capital Itanagar. Offering two-year PG diploma courses in screen acting, screenwriting and documentary cinema, it completed its three-stage admission process for the first batch in October 2024. Fourteen faculty members, all experienced hands in the industry, have been brought on board the institute, including filmmakers Bishnu Dev Halder and Dominic Sangma, and actor-academic Meenu Hooda. However, as months passed, the new students found themselves without information on when the session would commence. 'The institute told us that classes on the campus would begin after we all went for the IFFI (International Film Festival of India) in November. We attended the festival, but for three more months, there was no clarity on when we would be called to the campus. In January, they suddenly said they would begin some online modules, but we said we had enrolled for a campus experience,' said one of the students. In an email correspondence with students in January this year, the institute authorities said the campus was not 'fully ready for handover' and that nine of the 23 structures in the master plan were being readied for basic needs for the first semester. Two months later, the batch of 45 students was called to the campus in March to begin a semester initially meant to start in December 2024. 'When we came, we found that the hostels were not ready. The boys stay in the guest house and transit block, and the girls in the faculty quarters. That is manageable. But the biggest issue is that the classroom theatre (CRT), where our classes are supposed to be held, is not ready. The ground floor of the library is not ready, and the first floor has been divided into two halves with a curtain. On one side is the library, and on the other, 45 students have classes. The practical component of the acting course has not been possible because the performance lab is not ready. And then on the weekend, we had 12-13 hours of power cuts. The institute authorities do listen to our concerns, but the work is just not happening. We don't have a main gate or a boundary wall. We haven't even been given student ID cards,' said another student. The students declared an 'indefinite academic halt' starting May 15, citing 'months of sustained administrative apathy and broken promises regarding even the most basic infrastructural and academic necessities.' The institute's Deputy Registrar Deepak Kumar attributed the lack of readiness to delays by the Central Public Works Department, which is tasked with constructing the campus. 'At the time of admissions, in coordination with the CPWD, we got a timeline of when essential buildings would be ready to welcome students. So, admissions and the construction work were happening simultaneously. We admitted the students, but the CPWD could not complete the work. Once students are admitted, we can't go back. While we waited, some classes were done online, but students were not happy with that, and rightly so. We are in constant touch with them, and the Chief Engineer has said that the girls' hostel, a CRT classroom and a performance lab will be ready by the end of the month,' he said. The CPWD's Executive Engineer in Itanagar cited reasons tied to the location of the campus as factors slowing down the progress of work in the institute. 'There are certain reasons for this. One is the remote location, where even mobile network is an issue. Because of the lack of local labour, all the labour is coming from outside Arunachal, which also brings with it Inner Line Permit issues. Materials are not easily available. There are two small bridges required to be taken to the site, so the construction material has to be loaded in small vehicles. All of this has contributed to work being slower than required, but it is progressing, and we handed over 10 of the 21 buildings, after which the students were brought to the campus,' said Executive Engineer Devesh Budhani. 'We explored the option of shifting the students to Kolkata or Pune, but they don't have enough infrastructure there to accommodate all of them. We have a monsoon break in June, and we hope they will be able to deliver some more buildings by the end of that,' said Deputy Registrar Kumar. Another demand the students have raised is fee concessions because of the lack of facilities. Kumar said that the proposal has been forwarded to the ministry for consideration. In a detailed response to The Indian Express's query about concerns raised by students, the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said that 'while there have been delays, the institute is closely coordinating with CPWD, the contractor and state departments to expedite the process'. 'Buildings are being handed over in a phased manner, and full completion is expected by December 2025,' it said. The process for finalising the institute's 'official name' is still underway, after which students will be given their ID cards, and a logo, website and social media handles will be published, it said. The ministry added that the institute is working on addressing other student concerns, such as electricity and water supply, and internet connectivity.
NDTV
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Ranbir Kapoor And Vicky KaushaI's Intense Body Transformation For Love & War. New Details Revealed
Quick Read Summary is AI generated, newsroom reviewed. Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film "Love & War" is set for a 2026 release. The film stars renowned actors Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal. Ranbir expressed excitement about reuniting with Bhansali after 17 years. New Delhi: Sanjay Leela Bhansali's next titled Love & War is one of the most anticipated films of 2026. Rightfully so, with a stellar cast featuring Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal in the lead. The latest updates on the film have been revealed by a close source to News18, regarding the intense body transformation that Ranbir and Vicky underwent for the film. The source shared, "Ranbir Kapoor has lost 12 kgs while Vicky Kaushal has lost 15 kgs for their characters in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Love & War. This extensive physical transformation of both stars is evident enough to light up the screens for the audiences." Earlier this year, Ranbir expressed how excited he was about working with Sanjay Leela Bhansali again, at the International Film Festival Of India (IFFI). Ranbir said, " Love & War is something which is every actor's dream. To work with brilliant actors like Alia and Vicky and to be directed by the master - Sanjay Leela Bhansali. I worked with him 17 years ago. To work with him again, I can say this with so much clarity that I haven't met a human being who works so hard, who understands characters, emotions, music, Indian culture, and Indian value system, as much as Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Just to be on his set, is tiring. It is long. The process can be a little daunting but eventually, as an artist, it is so satisfying. He really nurtures art. As actors, it's truly been amazing so far." Earlier this year, The Hollywood Reporter had learnt that there might be delays in the release of Love & War which was initially scheduled for a March 2026 release. However, the speculations were later denied. Further updates are awaited.
Indian Express
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
The Bharat Pavilion gets inaugurated at Cannes 2025, Anupam Kher and Shekhar Gupta attend ceremony
The Bharat Pavilion has been inaugurated at the 78th Cannes Film Festival. The inauguration ceremony was attended by IFFI and NFDC festival director Shekhar Kapur, veteran actor Anupam Kher, and Anne-Louise Mésadieu, Paris Region elected official, ambassador, and special delegate for diplomatic relations. In his inaugural address, Shekhar Kapur highlighted the transformational power of cinema and India's evolving role as a creative powerhouse on the world stage. 'The art of storytelling is not the art of storytelling; it is the art of teaching others how to listen to your stories. And that's why film festivals are important because we all come over here from all over the world, and we tell each other our stories. That's why we have to go on having film festivals. 'Our cultures will survive if we share our culture; our stories will survive if we share our stories. We, as people, as humanity, will survive if we tell our stories because underneath every story, there is a mythology that's common to all of us,' Kapur said at the inauguration on Wednesday. ALSO READ | Express at Cannes: Tom Cruise's Final Reckoning and a maddeningly marvellous Sound Of Falling Anupam Kher, who is presenting his film Tanvi The Great in Cannes Market, reflected on the journey of Indian cinema and his personal experiences of representing India globally. 'I am eight years younger than my country, and we both grew up together. We have really, really done well. This is my first time in Cannes; I'm so happy to be here at the 'Maha Kumbh of cinema,'' the 70-year-old actor said. The IFFI 2025 poster and trailer were also launched at the event. 'IFFI's new poster is a reflection of 'the convergence of creativity and technology'. India is ready to embrace technology and play a dominant role in the global content creation space,' Gautam Bhanot, GM, Film Promotion (Festivals, Market and International Participation), NFDC India, said. One of the key highlights was the launch of the India Film Guide, a comprehensive resource that showcases India's vast filmmaking talent, incentives for international co-productions, and filming locations. Anne-Louise Mésadieu expressed admiration for India's rich cinematic history and its ability to tell stories that transcend borders. She emphasised the importance of such cultural bridges in fostering global understanding and diplomacy. Also Read | 'The only choice is to learn to embrace life, the good and the bad': Robert De Niro at Cannes The Bharat Pavilion is organised by NFDC and FICCI under the aegis of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, at Cannes. During the festival, Neeraj Ghaywan's Homebound, starring Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor, and Vishal Jethwa, will be screened in the Un Certain Regard segment. A restored version of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray's 1970 classic Aranyer Din Ratri is part of the Cannes Classics segment. Filmmaker Payal Kapadia, who created history by becoming the first from India to win the Grand Prix at Cannes in May last year, is part of the jury panel, led by French star Juliette Binoche, for the 2025 edition of the Cannes Film Festival.
India Gazette
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Gazette
Bharat Pavilion inaugurated at 78th Cannes Film Festival
Cannes [France], May 15 (ANI): The Bharat Pavilion was officially inaugurated at the 78th Cannes Film Festival on Thursday, marking yet another significant step in India's growing global cinematic footprint. The inauguration was graced by dignitaries, including Shri Shekhar Kapur, acclaimed filmmaker and Festival Director of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) and National Film Development Corporation (NFDC); veteran actor Anupam Kher; and Anne-Louise Mesadieu, Paris Region elected official, Ambassador, and Special Delegate for Diplomatic Relations, as stated in the press note by the team of organisers. Their presence in the ceremony highlighted the deepening ties between Indian cinema and global audiences. In her address, Anne-Louise Mesadieu welcomed the Bharat Pavilion to Cannes and expressed admiration for India's rich cinematic history and its ability to tell stories that transcend borders. As per the press note, she emphasised the importance of such cultural bridges in fostering global understanding and diplomacy. She said that the French government is available to ease and facilitate co-productions with India. In his inaugural address, Shekhar Kapur highlighted the transformational power of cinema and India's evolving role as a creative powerhouse on the world stage. The ceremony featured the much-anticipated launch of the IFFI 2025 poster and trailer. 'IFFI's new poster is a reflection of 'convergence of creativity and technology', India is ready to embrace technology and play a dominant role in the Global content creation space', said Gautam Bhanot, GM, Film Promotion (Festivals, Market and International Participation), NFDC India, while explaining the philosophy behind the new IFFI poster as stated in a press note. One of the key highlights was the launch of the India Film Guide, a comprehensive resource that showcases India's vast filmmaking talent, incentives for international co-productions, and filming locations. The attending dignitaries launched the guide, symbolising India's openness to global collaboration. Veteran actor Anupam Kher delivered a special address, sharing heartfelt reflections on the journey of Indian cinema and his personal experiences representing India internationally. 'I am eight years younger than my country, and we grew together. We have really, really done very well. This is my first time in Cannes, I am so happy to be here in the Mahakumbh of cinema.' Kher said as quoted in a press note. Adding a soulful touch to the occasion, renowned Indian singer Astha Gill, known for her hit songs like DJ Wale Babu, Kamariya from Stree, and Naagin, moved the audience by singing Saare Jahaan Se Achha. Also present on the dais was Shri Rupjyoti Brahma Karjee, Consulate General of India, Marseille, whose support has been instrumental in fostering Indo-French cultural cooperation along with Sreerag Mukundan, OSD, Films, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India and Ravi Kottarakara, President, South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce. The Bharat Pavilion, organised by NFDC and FICCI under the aegis of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Govt. of India, at Cannes continues to serve as a vibrant platform for promoting Indian cinema on a global scale, connecting filmmakers, distributors, and audiences from around the world under one cultural umbrella. (ANI)
