Acclaimed filmmaker, Kiran Rao, was celebrated at the Jagran Film Festival (JFF), for her widely appreciated directorial, Laapataa Ladies. A special screening was held that was followed by an engaging panel discussion titled Tales of Belonging and Becoming with Kiran Rao, Aranya Sahay, and Biju Toppo. Known for her unique style and storytelling that blend creativity with relevance, Laapataal Ladies has been praised for its fresh narrative, authentic setting, and engaging performances.
When asked about Nitanshi Goel, Kiran Rao shared, “To be honest, we cast actors who truly fit the characters. We never look at stars or chase influencers though interestingly, Nitanshi, whom we cast at just 15, already had 2 million followers. She had been a child actor and worked on several TV shows, but I had never seen her work before. With the help of my casting director, Romil Modi, we reached out online, in theatre groups, and across North Indian regions to find fresh faces. We ended up with a wonderfully diverse group of auditionees from Jharkhand and beyond and it was such a joy to discover talents who could bring the Bhojpuri-Hindi dialect and the authenticity we were looking for.”
With screenings, conversations, and premieres bringing together filmmakers, storytellers, and audiences, JFF continues to create a vibrant space for dialogue around cinema and culture. The session was met with an enthusiastic response, setting the tone for JFF 2025 as a space where cinema doesn’t just entertain, but also sparks dialogue and reflection. For audiences, it became a memorable encounter with art, storytelling, and the minds that craft them.
The 13th edition of Jagran Film Festival runs in Delhi from September 4th to 7th, 2025, full of a celebration where cinema goes beyond entertainment to inspire dialogue, reflection, and connection
