Updated: 1 day ago
Pritish Bagdi
Thaliva Rajnikanth
Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
Actor Ranveer Singh
Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Chief Minister of Goa, Shri Pramod Sawant
MD NFDC Shri Prakash Makduu
MoS MIB Shri L. Murugan
Secretary MIB Shri Sanjay Jaju with his wife Jyoti Somani
Actor Rishab Shetty
Amit Sadh, And Cast Introduce Akhri Sawal Teaser At IFFI Closing Event
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Know Why ‘Khoya Paya’ Is one of the Most Emotionally Powerful Film of IFFI 2025
Swati Bhat
Photo Courtesy: Pritish Bagdi
‘Khoya Paya’, the searing debut by director Ashutosh Singh, left audiences visibly moved during its special screening at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI). Rooted in the emotional turbulence of a mother abandoned at the sprawling Kumbh Mela, the film blends raw realism with soul-stirring performances, emerging as one of the festival’s most talked-about titles.
Leading the narrative is National Award–winning actor Ms. Seema Biswas, who plays the deserted mother with an intensity that lingers long after the credits roll. Reflecting on the film’s powerful message about the mistreatment of elderly parents, Biswas said, “Respect for the elderly is non-negotiable. Without respect, familial bonds lose meaning.” She added that the role shook her deeply, and if placed in her character’s situation, she too would have refused to return to a family that abandoned her. When asked not as her character Vidya, but as herself, how she would feel after playing this character, her response was the exact opposite of the character she portrayed: "I would let my people leave me and I would never return to them."
Actor Chandan Roy Sanyal, who plays the guilt-ridden son, mentioned that he tackled the role sincerely, highlighting that even those with flaws think they have justifications for their actions. Actress Anjali Patil, attracted by the script's purity and the opportunity to collaborate with experienced actress Ms. Seema Biswas, commended the film for its emotional authenticity.
Producer Mr. Hemanshu Rai remembered being immediately drawn to the script, which he characterized as a compelling exploration of the mother-son relationship with a hauntingly dark undertone.
But what truly sets "Khoya Paya" apart is its breath-taking visual authenticity. Shot amid crores of pilgrims during the Mahakumbh 2025. The crew blended seamlessly into the crowd by dressing like one of them. Mr. Singh called the experience both chaotic and electrifying, remarking
"The film's colour was found at Mahakumbh. We rapidly recreated our two songs to align with the mood and atmosphere of the Kumbh Mela, making numerous spontaneous decisions to capture the ambiance as a main character of the film."
With its emotional depth and cultural resonance, ‘Khoya Paya’ emerges as one of IFFI 2025’s most compelling cinematic experiences.
WAVES Bazaar serves as a specialized platform for businesses to present their products and services, seek collaborative opportunities, and form new partnerships.
Swati Bhat
Under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's flagship international markets platform, WAVES Bazaar, six Indian filmmakers leading women-centric projects represented the country at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2025, held last month. This initiative, led by Women in Film (WIF) India and supported by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), marked a significant milestone in showcasing the creativity and vision of Indian women filmmakers on a global stage. The filmmakers—Arshaly Jose, Deepa Bhatia, Katyayani Kumar, Madhumita Sundararaman, Paromita Dhar, and Pramati Anand—were selected from over 200 entries following a week-long nationwide call.
Ministry officials described this development as a defining moment for India’s film industry and creative community. "For the first time, six Indian filmmakers leading women-centric projects represented the country at one of the world’s most influential film forums. The delegation highlighted regional, rooted, and real stories from Kerala and Manipur to Maharashtra and Delhi, demonstrating that India’s creative diversity knows no boundaries," stated ministry officials. The World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit (WAVES) is an event focused on establishing India as a key hub for the media and entertainment industry. The inaugural event took place in Mumbai in May. WAVES Bazaar is a dedicated platform for companies to showcase their products and services, explore collaborations, and establish new partnerships.
Supported by WAVES Bazaar’s expansive ecosystem, these filmmakers gained access to mentorship, international markets, and industry exposure once reserved for seasoned global creators. Over the past year, WAVES Bazaar has evolved into a crucial bridge between Indian content creators and international studios, facilitating co-productions, global distribution deals, and strategic collaborations across continents, officials noted. WIF India Founder and Academy Award-winning producer Guneet Monga Kapoor described the collaboration as "a dream realized." "Exposure is at the heart of all growth. Through WIF India and WAVES Bazaar, we are building pathways for women to take their stories to the world," she stated. "We are taking our initial steps, building this institution piece by piece, and now moving it forward." For the participants, the TIFF experience was transformative.
Kerala-based filmmaker Arshaly Jose shared, "Pitching to international producers and distributors showed me that my stories could transcend borders. For the first time, I felt I truly belonged." Similarly, Deepa Bhatia reflected, "It was the thoughtful details from mentorship to wellbeing that made this experience special. WIF and WAVES are clearly shaking up the industry." With cumulative deals exceeding Rs 800 crores across film, animation, and music, and structured programs like Co-Production Labs and Screenwriters’ Forums, WAVES Bazaar is redefining how India engages with the world creatively.
