Event Coverage
KIFF to celebrate Rajesh Khanna’s cinematic journey
Mumbai: The Khajuraho International Film Festival (KIFF), organised by Prayaas Production in collaboration with the government of Madhya Pradesh, is an Indian film festival at a UNESCO World Heritage site. After nine successful editions, it is set for its tenth edition from 5 to 11 December 2024. KIFF offers a diverse lineup of films, showcasing fan favorites and innovative releases.
This year’s festival will honor the lifetime achievements of the late Padma Bhushan Rajesh Khanna, featuring a special showcase of his iconic films.
“Rajesh Khanna’s impact on Indian cinema is immeasurable, and as we mark the 10th edition of KIFF, it is only fitting that we honour his legacy with this special tribute,” shared KIFF founding member Sushmita Mukherjee.
Alongside this tribute, KIFF will screen a mix of international, regional, and parallel cinema, providing a vibrant experience for attendees. The governing council includes Boney Kapoor, Manmohan Shetty, Ramesh Sippy, and Prahlad Kakkar. The festival will celebrate Khanna’s legacy through screenings of his famous dialogues like ‘Babumoshai, Zindagi badi honi chahiye, lambi nahin’ and ‘Pushpa, I hate tears,’ along with panel discussions and musical performances.
Actor and KIFF founder & chairperson Raja Bundela said, “We look forward to bringing an immersive cinematic experience to our audience this year. We are extremely excited about the lineup of regional, national, and international films that will be screened this year.”
The festival expects 8,000 to 10,000 attendees daily, totaling around 75,000 over seven days. Aspiring filmmakers and actors will also participate in masterclasses and workshops. KIFF showcases Indian and international cinema while highlighting regional and folk talent. This edition will feature personalities like Anurag Anand, Laura Weissbecker, Mustafa Ozgun, Rajat Bedi, and Wilma Elles.
KIFF promises a blend of nostalgia and fresh cinematic experiences, making it a must-attend for film enthusiasts. Get ready for seven days packed with Anand in Rajesh Khanna’s Andaaz!
Event Coverage
Anime India announces Amazon MX Player as co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata 2026
MUMBAI: Riding high on the success of its blockbuster Mumbai debut, Anime India is accelerating its nationwide expansion with the announcement of Amazon MX Player as the co-presenting partner for Anime India Kolkata. The partnership marks a significant step forward in the festival’s mission to deliver large-scale, accessible, and fan-first anime experiences across the country.
Scheduled for 14 and 15 February 2026 at the iconic Biswa Bangla Mela Prangan, Anime India Kolkata will launch the first regional chapter of what is set to be a year-long, multi-city tour. As the curtain-raiser for the 2026 circuit, the Kolkata edition aims to fuse the energy of global Japanese pop culture with India’s fast-growing community of anime, manga, and pop-culture fans.
A household name in digital entertainment, Amazon MX Player brings unmatched reach and cultural relevance to the Anime India platform. With its expanding focus on anime and youth-driven content, Amazon MX Player’s involvement as co-presenting partner reinforces Anime India’s vision of making anime culture more inclusive breaking barriers of language, geography, and accessibility to connect with fans nationwide.
Anime India Kolkata 2026 will showcase cosplay competitions, interactive zones led by the Indian Gunpla Community, India-39 Vocaloid Community, The Japan Curry, and Adda-o-Otaku by The Otaku Guild. Fans can join tournaments across fighting games, Pokémon VGC, and more. Acclaimed Japanese director Susumu Mitsunaka (Haikyu!!) will attend as guest of honour, appearing in panels and live sessions. Positioned as an immersive celebration of fan culture and industry collaboration, the Kolkata edition marks the beginning of Anime India’s nationwide expansion.
Sharing their perspective on the partnership, Amazon MX Player director Aruna Daryanani expressed, “Anime in India has evolved from a niche interest into a mainstream cultural movement, driven by an increasingly engaged and passionate fanbase. At Amazon MX Player, our focus is on expanding access by bringing anime to audiences across the country for free and in multiple local languages. Our association with Anime India reflects our commitment to supporting the growth of anime in India and deepening connections with fans, while continuing to build Amazon MX Player as a trusted destination for free, high-quality entertainment.”
“Anime India Kolkata is a celebration of how anime has grown beyond entertainment into a powerful cultural and creative force. By bringing fans, creators, and industry leaders onto one shared platform, the festival is helping define the future of pop culture in India,” said Anime India co-founder and director Neha Mehta.
The debut edition of Anime India 2025 in Mumbai attracted over 29,000 fans, quickly cementing its status as a landmark celebration of anime and Japanese pop culture. Riding on this overwhelming response, the Kolkata chapter is projected to draw more than 40,000 visitors across two days, positioning it as one of the biggest anime conventions ever held in eastern India.
Anime India is focused on bringing together fans from across the country to create a truly pan-India celebration of anime, manga, cosplay, gaming, and Japanese culture. With plans to expand into four key metropolitan hubs in 2026—east (Kolkata), north (Delhi), west (Mumbai), and south (Hyderabad)—the festival seeks to deliver globally benchmarked experiences while supporting and uplifting creators, artists, and fan communities throughout India.
