Hindi
JFF 2025 returns with its 13th Edition, beginning 4 September in Delhi
MUMBAI: The Jagran Film Festival (JFF), celebrated as the world’s largest traveling film festival, returns with its 13th edition, carrying forward its philosophy of Good Cinema for Everyone. Presented by Rajnigandha, the festival will kickstart on 4 September in Delhi, travel across 14 cities, and culminate in Mumbai on 16 November, making it India’s largest and most far-reaching cinematic celebration.
Since its inception, the Jagran Film Festival (JFF) has become a landmark celebration of storytelling, cultural exchange, and cinematic excellence. This year, JFF pays tribute to cinematic legends with special celebrations including the centenary of Guru Dutt, 50 years of Shabana Azmi in cinema, 50 years of the iconic film Sholay, and more. It also honours industry stalwarts Shyam Benegal, Manoj Kumar, Shaji N. Karun, and Pritish Nandy for their lasting contributions to Indian cinema.
Guided by mentors like Subhash Ghai, Khusboo Sundar, Adil Hussain, and A. Sreekar Prasad, and curated by Srinivasa Santhanam, Anupama Bose, and Premendra Mazumdar, JFF 2025 will feature engaging conversations with some of the industry’s finest, including, Shabana Azmi, Shilpa Shetty, R. Balki, Jaideep Ahlawat, Shruti Mahajan, Amit Sadh, Vineet Kumar Singh, among others.
As it journeys through 14 cities — Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Meerut, Agra, Ranchi, Patna, Hisar, Ludhiana, Gorakhpur, Dehradun, and Mumbai — each location will host exclusive premieres, retrospectives, masterclasses, and in-conversation sessions with acclaimed filmmakers, actors, and storytellers.
Speaking about the festival, Jagran Prakashan Ltd. Sr. VP – strategy and brand development, Basant Rathore shared, “Jagran Film Festival has grown into one of India’s most inclusive and far-reaching cultural movements, celebrating the legacy of Indian cinema while embracing bold, global narratives. With every edition, we reaffirm our belief in the power of cinema to provoke thought, inspire change, and build cultural bridges. The 2025 festival continues this legacy—amplifying bold voices, timeless stories, and emerging perspectives from across the globe. At Dainik Jagran, our purpose has always been to awaken and unite, and through JFF, we champion stories that speak across generations, geographies, and genres.”
Hindi
Rajesh Ramaswamy exits The Script Room to focus on filmmaking journey
Ad filmmaker steps away from own venture to pursue direction and storytelling
MUMBAI: In a move that has caught the attention of the advertising and creative community, Rajesh Ramaswamy has announced his exit from The Script Room, the company he co-founded, marking the end of a seven-year stint at the helm.
The decision, which came into effect earlier this month, signals a shift in focus for Ramaswamy, who is now looking to immerse himself fully in filmmaking and direction as an independent creative.
Known for blending sharp advertising insight with storytelling craft, Ramaswamy has been instrumental in shaping The Script Room into a creative hub that delivered campaigns, branded content, and original storytelling formats. Over the years, the company collaborated with agencies, directors, and a wide network of writers, while also experimenting with formats such as short films and web series.
Sharing his thoughts on the transition, Ramaswamy indicated that the move is driven by a desire to focus and explore stories he has been developing over time. While he acknowledged the unconventional nature of stepping away from one’s own venture, he also framed it as a necessary leap toward clarity and creative pursuit.
Importantly, The Script Room will continue its operations with its current team and leadership, with Ramaswamy expressing confidence in the group that helped build the company’s identity. The studio, he noted, remains well-positioned to evolve further with fresh talent and ideas.
His exit also reflects a wider industry trend, where experienced advertising professionals are increasingly transitioning into independent filmmaking, tapping into the growing opportunities across digital and long-form content platforms.
As Ramaswamy steps into this new phase, the move underscores a familiar creative instinct, sometimes, the boldest ideas begin with a clean break.
