After a four-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival returned with a glitzy opening ceremony. The event featured stars from the Hindi and South Indian film industries, including Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Kareena Kapoor, Jim Sarbh, Sonam Kapoor, Bhumi Pednekar, Kamal Haasan, and Mani Ratnam, among others. The opening ceremony of Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival was held at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, where two hours of impassioned speeches and awards were presented under the chairwomanship of Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
Chopra Jonas emphasized the significant role of women in the Indian film industry, acknowledging their contributions both in front of and behind the camera. Notably, the Mumbai festival’s leadership team is entirely composed of women, including festival director Anupama Chopra, co-director Maitreyee Dasgupta, artistic director Deepti DCunha, and executive director Isha Ambani.
The highlight of the evening was the Excellence in Cinema Awards, honoring Mani Ratnam and Italian arthouse filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, who will also conduct masterclasses during the festival. Chopra Jonas praised Guadagnino’s work for its portrayal of human relationships, love, identity, and desire.