Randeep Hooda delighted as Swatantrya Veer Savarkar opens Indian Panorama at IFFI 2024, producer Sandeep Singh says, 'It even made it to the Oscar list from India' - Exclusive

Randeep Hooda's film Swatantrya Veer Savarkar has been chosen as the opening feature film in the Indian Panorama section at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) 2024.

Expressing his delight, Randeep Hooda told ETimes, "The untold story keeps finding its place in the sun. I'm delighted that Swatantrya Veer Savarkar is going to be the opening film at IFFI. Congratulations to the whole cast and crew."

Producer Sandeep Singh also shared his thoughts on the film's journey. He told us, "This was a film that nobody wanted to touch or finance. For many years, I kept narrating the story, but anyone who heard the topic and the name Veer Savarkar would back out, fearing it would be controversial and not released. However, when I met Randeep, he agreed to act in it. Eventually, he took the helm as both writer and director, creating a remarkable film. It even made it to the Oscar list from India. Now, being selected as the opening film of IFFI, I couldn’t ask for more. I am grateful to the jury and IFFI, and we are excited to be there. Thank you."

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25 feature films and 20 non-feature films to be showcased in the 55th edition of IFFI to be held in Goa from November 20 to 28. A package of 20 non-feature films will be screened in the Indian Panorama selected from a spectrum of 262 films. The package of non-feature films exemplifies the capacity of emerging and established filmmakers to document, investigate, entertain and also reflect contemporary Indian values. The Jury's choice for the opening film in the non-feature category is 'Ghar Jaisa Kuch (Ladakhi)', directed by Harsh Sangani.

Director Aditya Suhas Jambhale's Article 370, starring Yami Gautam, Priyamani, and Arun Govil, has also been selected for the Indian Panorama 2024. Also among the 25 feature films to be screened are Rajkummar Rao's Srikanth, directed by Tushar Hiranandani; Navjyot Narendra Bandiwadekar's Marathi directorial Gharat Ganpati; and Nikhil Mahajan's Raavsaaheb.

The Feature Film Jury was headed by acclaimed Film Director, Actor and Screenwriter Chandraprakash Dwivedi. The Feature Jury consists of twelve members, who individually represent various acclaimed films and are well-known film professionals, while collectively representing the diverse Indian film fraternity. Also, the upcoming edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI Goa) will feature Australia in the 'Country Focus' segment.

On Wednesday, the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting shared this update ahead of the 55th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI), to be held in Goa from November 20 to 28, 2024. India and Australia have recently signed an Audio Visual Co-production Treaty.