What are we doing this weekend? Watching fascinating movies in Hindi, English, regional and foreign languages at the 9th Jagran Film Festival (JFF).

JFF was inaugurated on Friday, 29th June 2018 and we were invited to attend the event. While film screenings had started since the morning, the evening started with a Master Talk session between the forever gorgeous and a powerhouse of talent Tabu and Mayank Sekhar, film critique from Dainik Jagran. Tabu spoke about her journey in films, what makes her choose a film, how some of her acting experiences have transformed her etc. Given that she is among the most versatile actors in Bollywood, the interaction was most interesting.

Then came the formal inauguration ceremony. Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, in the presence of Tabu and Pooja Bhatt from Bollywood and others lit the ceremonial lamp. The ceremony was followed by a screening of the brilliant short film Maya by Vikash Chandra. Do watch it if you are a movie buff.

Meanwhile here is a 101 on the JFF.

Dates: 29 June – 3 July 2018
Venue: Sirifort Auditorium- Audi 2-3-4
Entry: Gate no. 4
Free Parking: Available in and around the venue
Nearest Metro Station: Green Park (Yellow line)
Timings: Starts at 10 am and goes on till late night
Tickets: BookMyShow as well as venue
Language: Various (Indian and International) with English Subtitles Retrospective Actor: Tabu

Do Note: Bags, food, and water bottles are not allowed inside the auditoriums. Carry a photo ID card.
After the Delhi leg, the festival travels through Lucknow, Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Meerut, Agra, Gorakhpur, Patna, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Bhopal, Indore, Ludhiana, Hissar, Raipur, Dehradun and finally culminates in Mumbai. Apart from movies, the JFF is also holding film discussions, director interactions, and symposiums. On our part, we watched the films Mayurakhsi (Bengali, National Award Winner), The Post (English, Steven Spielberg), Bioscopewalla (Hindi featuring Danny), and this amazing documentary on Pushkar last evening. Post-screening, the informal interaction with documentary director Kamal Swaroop was most enlightening.
Happy watching the 9th Jagran Film Festival!

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