JioCinema to launch digital film festival on September 29
Mumbai (PTI): With an aim to bring together art, artists and unique stories of India, streaming platform JioCinema is set to launch a digital film festival on September 29.
According to the organisers, the festival will showcase 20 remarkable films across 20 days.
A celebration of India's rich storytelling, the festival line-up features titles such as "The Comedian", which revolves around an aging comedy actor in the Indian film industry who has no laughter left in his life, and "Birha" (The Journey Back Home), a story of a family that tears apart due to the unjustified ambitions of a young child.
Other films in the line-up are "Ghuspaith: Between Borders", which is inspired by the life and tragic death of renowned Indian photojournalist Danish Siddiqui; "Rat in the Kitchen", a story of a man going through loneliness and having surreal experiences while being at home alone; "Bebaak" a gripping tale about a woman's identity crisis as a Muslim in India; and "The Daughter", a film about a young woman who sets out in search of a man who can help her carry out an act that will test her limits.
"Bebaak" producer Anurag Kashyap said he is thrilled to be part of the festival.
"India is like a never-ending library of stories, with storytellers waiting to be discovered. And the JioCinema Film Festival is a reflection of these amazing storytellers and stories. The wide array of films truly shows that the fest is for everyone who enjoys cinema in its true form. It's an amazing opportunity to celebrate the art of storytelling. I am really thrilled to be a part of this celebration through my film 'Bebaak'," the filmmaker said in a statement.
The film festival can be streamed exclusively on JioCinema Film Fest starting September 29.
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Beauty of democracy: Tharoor congratulates BJP on civic body poll win in his constituency
New Delhi (PTI): Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Saturday, while lauding the win of the UDF in Kerala local bodies elections, also congratulated the BJP for its historic performance in his Thiruvananthapuram constituency, calling it the "beauty of democracy".
In a post on X, he said the people's verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in his constituency.
"What a day of amazing results in the Kerala local self-government elections! The mandate is clear, and the democratic spirit of the state shines through.
"A huge congratulations to @UDFKerala for a truly impressive win across various local bodies! This is a massive endorsement and a powerful signal ahead of the state legislative elections. Hard work, a strong message and anti-incumbency have all clearly paid off to achieve a much better result than in 2020," Tharoor said.
He said he also acknowledges the historic performance of the BJP in Thiruvananthapuram, and "offer humble congratulations on their significant victory in the city corporation - a strong showing that marks a notable shift in the capital's political landscape."
Tharoor said he campaigned for a change from 45 years of the LDF "misrule", but the voters have ultimately rewarded another party that also sought a clear change in governance.
"That is the beauty of democracy. The people's verdict must be respected, whether for the UDF overall or for the BJP in my constituency.
"We will continue to work for the betterment of Kerala, advocating for the people's needs and upholding the principles of good governance. Onwards and upwards!" Tharoor, who is the MP from Thiruvananthapuram, said.
The lotus bloomed in the state capital as the BJP-led NDA achieved a resounding win in the polls for the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, snatching it from the CPI(M)-led LDF and marking an end to 45 years of continuous Left rule in the local body.
The win in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation will act as a boost for the BJP in the 2026 Assembly polls, especially in the state capital.
Of the 101 wards in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, the BJP won 50, LDF 29, UDF 19 and two wards were won by independent candidates.
The BJP is one seat short of a decisive majority in the corporation.
Besides this, the NDA retained the Palakkad municipality after a close battle with the Congress-led UDF and wrested the Thrippunithura Municipality from the grand old party.
In Thrissur, from where Suresh Gopi won in the Lok Sabha polls last year, the BJP won 18 out of the 46 wards in Kodungallur Municipality, eight in Thrissur Corporation, two each in Guruvayoor and Vadakkancherry municipalities, seven in Kunnamkulam Municipality, six in Irinjalakuda Municipality and one in Chalakudy Municipality.
