The two-day festival showcased 34 short films and documentaries covering topics relating to mental health, breast cancer, organ donation, and the environment. Selected from 150 entries nationwide, these films highlighted critical health issues. The event concluded in the presence of renowned actress Madhurani Gokhale Prabhulkar. Prominent attendees included festival organizer Adv. Chetan Gandhi and Satish Kondhalkar, President- Flair Network Systems.

Speaking at the award function, Madhurani said, “Health is a critical issue, and conveying it through films is a powerful way to raise awareness. Mental health is a growing concern, with terms like depression and anxiety used rampantly. Social media plays a significant role in deteriorating mental well-being, and addressing these challenges is essential. Despite the dominance of shallow entertainment, It is commendable to see filmmakers creating meaningful, health-focused content as is seen in the movies in this festival.”

The awards presented included in the Short Film category 1st Prize went to ‘Drushtikon’ by Dr. Sameer Datar, 2nd Prize to ‘Paris’ by Mukund Khuperkar, and 3rd Prize was given to ‘Antarnaad (The Voice Within)’ by Parthaa Akerkar. Whereas, in the documentary 1st Prize was presented to ‘Jeevitham (The Life)’ by Ali Arikath, 2nd Prize was given to ‘Griha Aar Paibo Kotha (Where Shall I Find Home)’ by Vrushab Maitri, and the 3rd Prize was bagged by Right to Clean Environment’ by Dr. Balkrishna Damle (C.D.O.E., K.V.V. Karad).

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INDIA: PVR INOX Limited, India’s largest and most premium cinema exhibitor, is proud to announce the Akkineni Nageswara Rao Film Festival, a grand tribute to the legendary Telugu actor, Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR), to mark his 100th birth anniversary. Widely known as Natasamrat, ANR was a towering figure in Indian cinema, renowned for his versatility and captivating performances that have left an indelible mark on the film industry. This three-day film festival will run from 20th to 22nd September 2024, offering fans a rare opportunity to relive the magic of ANR’s iconic films on the big screen.

In collaboration with the Film Heritage Foundation, the festival will showcase a handpicked collection of ANR’s most celebrated movies, including Devadasu, Mayabazar, Bharya Bharthalu, Gundamma Katha, Doctor Chakravarthi, Sudigundalu, Premabhishekam, Prem Nagar, and Manam. The festival will span 31 cities, allowing audiences across the country to honor ANR’s extraordinary contribution to Indian cinema.

Gautam Dutta, CEO of PVR INOX Limited, commented on the festival, saying, “We are deeply honored to celebrate the centenary of Akkineni Nageswara Rao, whose cinematic journey is nothing short of legendary. His powerful performances have transcended generations, and his films continue to inspire cinephiles across the world. This festival is our tribute to his immense legacy, and we are thrilled to partner with the Film Heritage Foundation to bring ANR’s timeless classics back to the big screen. We hope this initiative will engage both devoted fans and new audiences, offering them a chance to experience the brilliance of ANR in theatres once again.”

ANR’s illustrious career spanned over six decades, with a filmography that reflects his exceptional range as an actor—from tragic dramas to heartwarming family sagas. His roles in films like Devadasu and Mayabazar cemented his place as a cultural icon, and his dedication to cinema earned him widespread admiration and respect.

Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Filmmaker and Director, Film Heritage Foundation, also expressed his enthusiasm for the festival, stating, “Akkineni Nageswara Rao was a true titan of Indian cinema, and it is only fitting that we celebrate his centennial with this remarkable festival. Through our partnership with PVR INOX, we are ensuring that ANR’s unparalleled contributions to film are preserved and showcased for future generations. The Film Heritage Foundation is committed to restoring and reviving classic films, and this festival is a step forward in our mission to honor the legends of Indian cinema.”

Akkineni Nagarjuna states, “I am delighted that the Film Heritage Foundation is celebrating the 100th birth anniversary of my father with a festival of his landmark films across the country. He was rightly called Natasamrat for his amazing ability to play a range of roles from a saint to an alcoholic to a romantic hero in a way that has stayed in people’s hearts and minds for decades. His performance in Devadasu has been acknowledged as one of the best across all versions of the film over the years and his films like Premabhishekam, Doctor Chakravarthi and Sudigundalu are loved even today. He was a pioneer who established Annapurna Studios, laying the first foundation for the Telugu film industry in our state. We are very proud of his legacy and through this festival audiences across the country will remember an icon not just of Telugu cinema but of Indian cinema. We would like to preserve this legacy so that people will remember him for another hundred years. The entire Akkineni family would like to thank the NFDC-NFAI and PVR-Inox for partnering with us to make this festival possible.”

Prithul Kumar, Joint Secretary (Films) and Managing Director, NFDC-National Film Archive Of India states, “NFDC-NFAI is deeply honoured to collaborate in commemorating the birth centenary of Shri. Akkineni Nageswara Rao, by presenting seven timeless classics, restored in 4K from prints and negatives held in the archive’s collection. This event is not just a tribute to a legendary actor but also a testament to our commitment to preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of Indian cinema. By bringing these masterpieces back to the big screen, we hope to evoke a deep sense of pride and nostalgia, allowing audiences to reconnect with the golden era of our film history. Our sincere thanks go to PVR-INOX for providing the platform to share these films with the nation, to Annapurna Studios and Film Heritage Foundation for their curation and planning, and to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for funding this endeavour under the National Film Heritage Mission.”

Each film in the showcase highlights ANR’s remarkable versatility and celebrates the rich legacy of Telugu cinema. Through this festival, PVR INOX and the Film Heritage Foundation aim to rekindle admiration for ANR’s work while introducing his timeless classics to a new generation of audiences.

The Akkineni Nageswara Rao Film Festival will be hosted across 31 cities, including major hubs like Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Delhi, Gurugram, Ahmedabad and many more, allowing fans nationwide to join in the celebration of this cinematic legend.

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With a curated selection of the finest South Asian, South Asian Diaspora, and international cinema, the festival remains steadfast in its mission to champion independent and emerging filmmakers. 

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PUNE: With the overwhelming response received over the years, the Pune-based P. M. Shah Foundation is back with the 12th edition of ‘The Aarogya Film Festival’ featuring a bouquet of national and international documentaries based on varied aspects of health. The two-day film festival is being held at NFDC-National Film Archives of India, Law College Road, Pune. Entry to the festival is free for all on a first come first served basis.

Speaking about the initiative Adv Chetan Gandhi, Festival Director said, “We have seen that film as a medium makes a greater impact on the minds of today’s youth when it comes to creating awareness of any sort. Health is one such aspect that needs maximum reach and hence we have been organizing this distinctive film festival namely the ‘Aarogya Film Festival’ since 2010. As has been done over the years, this year as well we hope to help create awareness on issues relating to health and hygiene.”

The opening ceremony of the festival will begin with the inauguration at the hands of Chief Guest Dr Abhijit Vaidya-National Chief Arogya Sena and Founder Director of Smita Patil International Film Festival on Friday 23rd February at 2 pm. The festival will then showcase short films and documentaries up to 6 pm.

Day two will screen films from 10 am to 4.30 pm followed by the festival’s closing ceremony in the presence of the Chief Guest Virendra Valsangkar-Renowned National Award-Winning Film Maker. The top three films in the ‘Short Film’ and ‘Documentary’ categories will also be awarded during the closing ceremony with a memento and a certificate.

P. M. Shah Foundation has been organizing this unique film festival since 2009 to provide a platform for creative minds and young filmmakers from across the globe to showcase their work related to awareness creation on topics relating to health. In its 12th edition this year, the festival will showcase 40 films in two formats – short films and documentaries covering a wide range of topics including mental health, child health, child sexual abuse, women’s health issues, organ donation, cancer, public health, hygiene, disabilities, senior citizen’s health issues and much more.

This year the festival has received over 145 applications of films and documentaries from Indian and International filmmakers. Entries came in from across India, Dubai, Australia, Germany, USA, Pakistan, Algeria, United Kingdom, Bangladesh, Sénégal, Philippines, France, Sultanate of Oman, England and Iran. The shortlisting from these entries was done by an eminent jury comprising Anuja Deodhar, a teacher and a social activist, Vijay Javalgikar, a well-known filmmaker, and Shukhada Khisti, a mental health expert. The festival will screen films that are in different languages with English subtitles.

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