JIFF 2025 Kicks Off with a Spectacular Musical Red Carpet Opening Ceremony

Screening of 240 films from 48 countries will begin at 9:00 AM at INOX GT Central.
The Jaipur Film Market (JFM) will be inaugurated at 12:00 PM.
A special session with Rakesh Omprakash Mehra will take place at 2:30 PM.

The 17th Jaipur International Film Festival (JIFF) 2025 began with a spectacular and vibrant opening ceremony, celebrating the excellence and diversity of cinema. The festival, which runs until January 21 in Jaipur, was inaugurated with a musical red carpet event at the Rajasthan International Centre (RIC).
Highlights from Opening Day
•    Awards Ceremony:
The much-anticipated awards were announced during the opening ceremony, recognizing exceptional achievements in both Indian and international cinema.
"I am deeply grateful to the entire film industry for considering him worthy of this prestigious honor," said Rishab Chopra.
The festival's Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to the 'King of Romance,' Yash Raj Chopra. The award was accepted by his grandson, Rishab Chopra, who remarked, "My late grandfather, Yash Raj Chopra, had an unparalleled passion for cinema, and his contributions continue to inspire us all. This award brings his memories and invaluable legacy to life. I am thankful to JIFF for bestowing this esteemed honor upon him."

•    Red Carpet Stars:
The red carpet witnessed the presence of renowned personalities, including:
o    Devayani: South Indian Actress
o    Oscar-winner Marc Baschiet (France): Awarded for No Man’s Land
o    Andrew Vial (Australia): Acclaimed Actor
o    Sohana Saba (Bangladesh): Renowned Actress

Filmmakers from around the world graced the red carpet with a spectacular walk. Prominent guests included Giovanni M. Zelko (United States), Leonid Kruglov and Mikhail Shevchuk (Russian Federation), Fei Chen and Zhao/Kai (China), Nina Sabnani (India), Sophie Shui (Taiwan), Rohan Gadi, Neel Phadnis, Bhasker Vishwanathan, Amartya Sinha, Ujjwal Patel, Aditya Jhambale, Juli Suárez (Spain), Elisabeth Silveiro (France), Toma Enache (Romania), and many other notable filmmakers. Additionally, renowned filmmakers from Iran, Israel, Japan, Bulgaria, and several other countries added to the grandeur of the occasion, showcasing the global unity and diversity of the cinema community.

Musical and Cultural Extravaganza
The opening ceremony featured mesmerizing performances:
•    Ganesh Vandana led by the legendary sitar maestro Pandit Chandra Mohan Bhatt.
•    Rajasthani folk artists captivated the audience with songs like “Aao Ni Padharo Mharo Desh” and “Neemuda-Neemuda.”
•    Traditional instruments such as the bhapang, morchang, khartal, and nagada added a rich cultural essence to the evening.
Award Winners at JIFF 2025
International Awards (Feature Film):
•    Best Director (Golden Camel Award): My Melbourne by Imtiaz Ali, Kabir Khan, Onir, and Rima Das (Australia).
•    Green Rose Award (Global Message): My Melbourne.
•    Best Cinematography: Djordje Stojiljkovic for The Tower of Strength (OBRAZ).
•    Best Actress: Akansha Pal (Naate).
•    Best Actor: Antonio Rodríguez Cabal (End of Trip – Sahara).
Indian Panorama Awards (Feature Film):
•    Best Director (Golden Camel Award): Seenu Ramasamy for Kozhipannai Chelladurai.
•    Best Released Film (Red Rose Award): Devara (Part-1).
•    Best Actress: Janhvi Kapoor (Devara).
•    Best Actor: Taraka Rama Rao Jr Nandamuri (Devara).
Rajasthan Panorama:
•    Best Feature Film: Shanti Niketan by Deepankar Prakash.
•    Special Jury Mention: Bharkhama by S. Sagar.
Upcoming Events and Screenings
Day 2 – Saturday, January 18, 2025 (INOX GT Central):
•    9:00 AM: Film screenings begin.
•    12:00 PM: Jaipur Film Market (JFM) inauguration.
•    2:30 PM: Interaction with Rakesh Omprakash Mehra.
Screening of Iconic Hindi Films at INOX GT Central (Audi-1):
1.    Devdas (1936) – 12:00 PM.
2.    Rang De Basanti (2006) – 3:00 PM.
3.    Veer-Zaara (2004) – 6:00 PM.