The seventh edition of Jagran Film Festival on Friday kicked off in New Delhi with back-to-back screenings of Indian and Pakistani movies Toba Tek Singh and Chotay Shah respectively.
The five-day event was inaugurated by the festival’s chief guest, veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah, with the lighting of a lamp.
The festival will feature a retrospective on Shah’s five most acclaimed films including Waiting, Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai and Monsoon Wedding.
While introducing Shah on stage, filmmaker Sudhir Mishra said the actor is one of the reasons why he joined the industry.
“I have been waiting for this moment all my life. What [could] a man say about Naseeruddin Shah? One of the reasons why I came to Mumbai from Sagar is sitting right in front of me. He is not only a brilliant actor but a writer and performer. He is somebody without whom you cannot define the Indian cinema,” Mishra said.
Director Ketan Mehta also heaped praise on the star.
“In my humble earnest opinion, I really believe that Naseer is truly the first modern actor of Indian cinema. I believe that the entire next generation of actors have derived so much from his passion, craft, skill and his love for what he is doing. I feel that we haven’t acknowledged him enough,” Mehta said.
With Cuba being the country in focus at the festival, nine films from the country will be screened highlighting the evolution of cinema there, right from its inception in 1897 to the present time.
“I hope with the screening of Cuban films in India, we can further foster the friendship between India and Cuba,” said ambassador-designate of Cuba Oscar Israel Martinez.
The festival will also pay tribute to veteran filmmaker-producer-actor V Shantaram in a special section. The Delhi edition of the festival will see the screening of 102 films.
