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Queen of Thailand and IPL chairman open 2nd Delhi international Film Festival
NEW DELHI: A total of 171 films from 39 countries across the world will be showcased during the Second Delhi international Film festival which commenced here today.
The Queen of Thailand, Dr. Mom Luang Rajadarasri Jayankura, and Indian Premier League Chairman Rajeev Shukla were present. Others who attended the opening included Sri Lanka Cultural Affairs and cultural Heritage Minister Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, and Mrs. Aliki Koutsomitopoulou, Deputy chief of Mission, Embassy of Greece in India who were the guests of honour.
The Festival opened with the critically acclaimed Srilankan Film “Siddhartha Gautama” by director Saman Virman. Virman, Lead actors Gagan Malik and Aanchal, and Producers Naveen and N G Perera were present.
The festival is a seven day event and will have fashion, singing and poetry sections along with the film section. Actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha will be presented the Lifetime Achievement Award for his valuable contribution to Indian Cinema and Politics. Muzaffar Ali’s classic film ‘Umrao Jaan’ will have a special screening and award.
Earlier, Gagan Malik who also played Ram in ‘Ramayana’ earlier this year said “The festival is beginning with a film that gives the message of world peace and unity.” He further added “playing the role of young Gautam Buddha was an honour as well as a responsibility for me.”
The films includes 15 Short films; 28 Indian feature films; 12 Indian documentaries; 36 Indian short films; ten NRI films; five Animation films; seven films from across the borders; and 18 Student films.
The festival includes some prizes for films in categories like “Best Feature Film”, Best Documentaries, Best Short films etc.
Ariel Cohen’s “Take Mama”, from Israel will be the closing film of the festival on 27 December.
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Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
