Shatrughan Sinha unveils 'Nalanda Literature Festival 2025'

Veteran actor and politician Shatrughan Sinha announced the upcoming edition of the Nalanda Literature Festival (NLF) 2025 here on Saturday, drawing a constellation of celebrities and cultural luminaries to celebrate India's rich literary heritage.

Sinha, serving as the chief guest at the launch event held at Raheja Classique Club in Andheri West, was accompanied by popular singer Kailash Kher and actor Akhilendra Mishra, among a host of notable figures. The gathering also featured prominent personalities such as film producer Pahlaj Nihalani, actor Vineet Kumar, director Shahu Patole, Rumy Jaffrey, Faisal Malik, Pradaeep Sinha, Sushil Pandey, and filmmaker Leena Yadav.

Set against the backdrop of Bihar's ancient ruins, the Nalanda Literature Festival 2025 is slated for December 21-25 at the historic sites of Rajgir, promising a vibrant confluence of legacy, language, and literature. Sinha hailed the event as a "historic cultural renaissance" and a "grand confluence of India’s literary, linguistic, and artistic brilliance."

"It will not only showcase the richness of our past and the vitality of our present but also pave the path for a celebrated future for Indian languages and culture," Sinha remarked in a press statement. "With luminaries from art, literature, and cinema gracing the event, this festival will be marked as a cultural landmark in India’s modern history."

Festival director Ganga Kumar emphasized the event's deeper mission, rooted in the intellectual legacy of the ancient Nalanda University. "By hosting scholars, artists, and storytellers here, we want to inspire future generations to embrace both tradition and modernity in their pursuit of knowledge," he said.

In a key highlight, Sinha joined chairperson D. Aaliya, trustee Dhanu Bihar, Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association (IMPPA) president Abhay Sinha, Ganga Kumar, and curator Pankaj Dubey to unveil the Nalanda Literature Development Programme. Running from September 15, 2025, to March 26, 2026, the initiative will host a series of events designed to foster dialogue, creativity, and cultural exchange in the lead-up to the main festival.

The launch also coincided with the debut of the official NLF website, accessible at nalandaliteraturefestival.com, signaling the festival's growing global reach. Organizers anticipate participation from guests across more than 10 countries in the Indian diaspora, transforming the event into a worldwide tribute to India's intellectual, cultural, and literary traditions. As anticipation builds for this cultural milestone, the Nalanda Literature Festival stands poised to bridge ancient wisdom with contemporary voices, reaffirming Bihar's enduring role as a cradle of knowledge.