By — Dilip Guha

 The International Film Festival of Delhi (IFFD) 2026 opened to a full house at the Multipurpose Hall Bharat Mandapam on Tuesday evening, marking a high-energy start to one of the capital’s largest cinematic gatherings.

Organised by the Delhi Tourism & Transport Development Corporation (DTTDC) in association with the Government of Delhi and with KPMG as a knowledge partner, the International Film Festival of Delhi is a government-led, city-wide festival showcasing Indian and international cinema while bringing film culture to audiences across the capital.

Inaugurated by CM Rekha Gupta at Bharat Mandapam, the festival begins with a high-energy opening and a strong global cinema line-up.

The week-long festival, from 25 March 2026 to 31 March 2026, will feature screenings, conversations, and industry engagements across venues in New Delhi, bringing together filmmakers, industry leaders, and audiences from around the world. One of the highlights of the retrospective will be screening Pyaasa in its newly restored 4K version. This is the first time a 4 K restored version of Pyaasa will be screened at an International film festival. This initiative is supported by Ultra Media & Entertainment.

The opening night saw a strong turnout from across the Indian film industry, with actors, filmmakers, producers and cultural figures in attendance. The red carpet featured Arjun Kapoor, Nimrat Kaur, Vicky Kaushal, Sanya Malhotra, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Lauren Gottlieb, Anupam Kher, Sharmila Tagore, Nandamuri Balakrishna, Subhash Ghai, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Arvind Swamy and Ajay Bijli, among others.

The ceremony began with a tribute marking 150 years of Vande Mataram, setting a distinctly cultural tone for the evening and grounding the festival’s opening in a moment of national reflection.

Hon’ble Chief Minister Rekha Gupta lit the inaugural lamp; Hon’ble Ministers Kapil Mishra and Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, along with actors Hema Malini, Kangana Ranaut and Sharmila Tagore, and other dignitaries, marked the formal opening of IFFD 2026.

Inside the Multipurpose Hall, the ceremony moved beyond formalities to set a confident tone for the festival’s inaugural edition, with a clear focus on storytelling, collaboration and the growing global footprint of Indian cinema. On the occasion, the Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Sharmila Tagore, Dharmendra, and Nandamuri Balakrishna, recognising their enduring contributions to Indian cinema.

The First International Film Festival of Delhi (IFFD) 2026 opened to packed halls and a strong industry presence, marking a vibrant start to the capital’s cultural calendar.

In her inaugural speech, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta emphasised the festival’s role in shaping the city’s identity.

“Delhi is the heart of the country, a city that embraces everyone and carries both history and hope. With this film festival, we are not just hosting an event but shaping a new cultural identity for the capital. Cinema has the power to inspire, to connect, and to tell stories that become people’s dreams. This festival will be a platform for new artists, filmmakers and especially women to showcase their talent. We are committed to making Delhi a true creative capital, known for its energy, stories, and spirit,” she said.

The festival also saw the presence of Vanshika Parmar, Miss Earth India 2022, an environmental advocate and student of Miranda House, University of Delhi. Vanshika grew up in a defence household in Himachal Pradesh and was chosen to represent India at the Miss Earth pageant in the Philippines under Miss Divine Beauty.

Talking to this reporter at the event, she highlighted cinema’s transformative potential:

“We are basically using cinema as a very powerful medium to convert Delhi not just from a cultural capital, but rather into a cultural and creative capital.”

Day one stood out for the scale of participation, not just from the film fraternity but also from delegates, students, and cinephiles, signalling strong on-ground engagement from the outset.

On the occasion, Kapil Mishra, Hon’ble Tourism Minister, Delhi, said, “IFFD was first envisioned during the budget discussions last year and has been realised under the leadership of the Chief Minister. We are committed to establishing Delhi not just as a political capital but as a cultural capital of India. In the coming years, we will take this festival to the next level with clear objectives to showcase how Delhi is utilising world-class infrastructure like Bharat Mandapam and Yashobhoomi and to position the city as a preferred global destination for tourism and film shooting.”

Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, film director, said, “The International Film Festival of Delhi is not just an event; it’s a platform, a space where we arrive with curiosity and leave with courage. Cinema doesn’t just entertain; it provokes, moves and awakens something within us, pushing us to see the world and ourselves differently. This festival, which belongs to the city of Delhi, is not just a backdrop but a living narrative. Through IFFD, we aim to connect Indian talent with global audiences, because when you tell the truth of your world, you touch someone else’s too.”

Suneel Anchipaka, MD & CEO, DTTDC, said, “We are not inaugurating just an event; we are declaring Delhi as the birthplace of storytelling. This festival is part of a larger cultural awakening, where cinema is not just entertainment but a powerful expression of our identities, values, and voices. As storytelling shapes how the world sees Bharat, we are building cultural sovereignty by enabling Indian stories across cinema and emerging creative industries to reach global audiences. Delhi is making a clear commitment to become a true hub for storytelling, where every frame carries purpose.”

Sanya Malhotra said, “IFFD is bringing together different industries and perspectives on one platform, and that’s what makes it exciting. I’m looking forward to being part of the festival and seeing that exchange unfold.”

Imtiaz Ali said, “I’m looking forward to having an honest and cinematic chat with my dear friend and much-respected film director Rakeysh OmPrakash Mehra on the 31st of March. I feel such conversations can open doors in the mind. Excited to be a part of IFFD.”

The opening film, Sirât, directed by Oliver Laxe, brought strong international attention to the festival’s first night. A Cannes Jury Prize winner and Academy Award nominee, the film sets a global tone for IFFD 2026, signalling the festival’s intent to connect Delhi audiences with some of the most acclaimed contemporary cinema.

The festival will run until March 31 across multiple venues in the city. Along with film screenings, the coming days will feature master classes, panel discussions, and curated cultural events aimed at fostering dialogue within the industry.

With a strong opening day that drew both crowds and conversation, IFFD 2026 has positioned itself as a new cultural fixture on the city’s calendar, with momentum expected to build through the week.As per vanshika parmar quoted —

Cinema is being used as a powerful medium that is positioning Delhi not just as a political capital but rather a cultural and creative capital”