Patna: A three-day Gandhi Film Festival concluded at Bapu Tower in Patna with film screenings and a symposium focusing on Mahatma Gandhi’s influence on cinema and the relevance of his ideas today.
The festival was organised in collaboration with the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) and the National Film Archive of India (NFAI).
Gandhi’s influence on cinema
Speaking at the closing ceremony, film critic Ajay Brahmatmaj highlighted Gandhi’s significant influence on cinema across the world.
He noted that Gandhi himself was not particularly impressed by cinema and had criticised the medium on several occasions. Despite this, filmmakers drew extensively from his life and ideas, incorporating Gandhian principles into their work.
Brahmatmaj cited filmmakers including Charlie Chaplin and V. Shantaram as examples of those who drew inspiration from Gandhi’s principles.
Connecting Gandhi with younger generation
Bapu Tower Director Vinay Kumar, in his welcome address, stressed the importance of keeping Gandhi’s ideas alive in contemporary times.
He said the film festival was an effort to introduce Gandhi’s ideas to a new generation through cinema.
The event was presided over by IAS officer Mithilesh Mishra, who interacted with students and engaged them in a discussion on films and Gandhi.
Films screened on final day
Manish Kumar, Director at Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), expressed his appreciation for the festival being hosted at Bapu Tower.
District Education Officer Yogesh Kumar also addressed the gathering and shared his views on the event.
Films including Noakhali Extract and Gandhi: A Boundless Ideal were screened during the final day of the festival.
A large number of students and teachers from Daroga Rai Higher Secondary School and Dayanand Kanya Higher Secondary School, Meethapur, participated in the programme.
The proceedings were conducted by Under Secretary Arun Kumar Pathak, while Bapu Tower Deputy Director Lalit Kumar Singh delivered the vote of thanks.
