Red Carpet Shines With Global Cinema Icons at 56th IFFI Grand Finale

The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was brought to a close with an evening marked by star presence, international premieres and a showcase of powerful narratives. The finale was illuminated by the arrival of Rajinikanth, whose presence was felt across the venue as the audience responded with enthusiasm and nostalgia.

Aamir Khan was seen earlier during a special conversation titled “The Narrative Architect of Social Transformation” , where his views on the role of storytelling in shaping public thought were shared. A thoughtful exchange with film critic Baradwaj Rangan was witnessed, and the discussion was marked by honest reflections on cinema’s influence on society.

A series of international premieres was also presented during the festival. The Visual Feminist Manifesto , directed by Farida Baqi, was screened as part of the International Competition. The 174-minute German–Lebanese–Syrian production, presented in Arabic, was received as a bold and visually expressive work. Another Asia Premiere was held for Fränk , a 108-minute Estonian film by Tõnis Pill, which was featured in the Best Debut Feature Film of a Director category. The film was noted for its unique storytelling approach and fresh directorial voice.

Several Indian Panorama selections were showcased during the closing days. Soukarya Ghosal’s Pokkhirajer Dim —a blend of science, fantasy and Bengali folklore—was screened, presenting the story of a struggling student and an eccentric physics teacher who encounter a relic with reality-altering powers. In Marathi cinema, Gondhal by Santosh Davakhar was presented as a drama-thriller set against a night-long ritual that takes a darker turn. The classic Marathi work Ek Hota Vidushak , directed by Jabbar Patel and based on a story by P.L. Deshpande, was screened under a special Indian Panorama package, revisiting themes of fame, family and personal loss.

Another significant presentation came through Binodiini Ekti Natir Upakhyan , a biographical drama by Ram Kamal Mukherjee. The film traced the journey of pioneering Bengali theatre artist Binodini Dasi, capturing her struggles, rise to fame and artistic legacy. It was featured under the Best Debut Director category.

The International Competition section also featured the French feature C’est Si Bon (Moi qui t'aimais) , directed by Diane Kurys, which held its India Premiere. The Rising Stars category concluded with the screening of the Thai feature A Useful Ghost , directed by Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke.

As part of the Retrospective Rajinikanth section, Lal Salaam , directed by Aishwarya Rajinikanth, was screened and received a warm response from audiences.

The red carpet was brought to life with appearances by filmmakers, actors and delegates, with the closing ceremony reflecting a blend of glamour and celebration. Rishab Shetty was seen arriving for the finale, adding to the creative energy of the night.

Insights from filmmakers Rakesh Omprakash Mehra and Shekhar Kapur were also shared during the session Perspectives from Two Filmmakers , where both directors spoke about their cinematic journeys and creative processes.

The 56th edition of IFFI was concluded with a celebration of global voices, diverse cinema and the artistic spirit that continues to define the festival.