Delhi’s Cinematic Surge: The IFFD 2026 Breakdown

Townhall Times, New Delhi

Reporter: Bhavika Kalra

Venue: Bharat Mandapam, Yashobhoomi, & Kartavya Path | March 25–31, 2026

The vibe at Pragati Maidan is electric. While Mumbai has MAMI and Goa has IFFI, Delhi has finally stepped up with a “city-wide” festival. They aren’t just showing movies in dark rooms; they are using massive LED mobile units and outdoor screenings to make cinema accessible to everyone, from film students to the general public.

1. The ‘Big’ Screenings & Premieres

The lineup is staggering over 140 films selected from more than 2,000 entries across 47 countries.

The Opener: The festival kicked off yesterday with a gala screening of the Oscar-nominated film Sirat.
The Blockbuster Factor: One of the most talked-about screenings is Dhurandhar 2. Actor Siddhant Chaturvedi was seen at the festival yesterday praising Ranveer Singh’s performance in the film, calling it “surprising and deep.”
The Guru Dutt Tribute: For the purists, the 4K restoration of the classic Pyaasa is being screened to mark Guru Dutt’s birth centenary. It’s a rare chance to see that level of cinematography on a modern big screen.

2. Celebrity Sightings & The ‘Red Carpet’ Reality

The red carpet isn’t just for show; it’s a heavy-duty industry gathering.

Star Power: You’ll likely spot Vicky Kaushal, Bhumi Pednekar, and Rana Daggubati around the venues. Hema Malini is also in attendance to receive a special tribute for the late legendary actor Dharmendra.
The Hosts: The opening night was anchored by Arjun Kapoor and Nimrat Kaur, setting a high-glamour tone for the rest of the week.
Cultural Nights: It’s not just about movies. Tonight, March 26, the festival features a performance by Sonam Kalra, followed by Ashish Vidyarthi tomorrow.

3. Masterclasses: Learning from the Pros

If you’re a film student, this is where the real value is. The festival has organized “In-Conversation” sessions that are more like intensive workshops.

The Lineup: You can literally sit in a room and listen to Manoj Bajpayee, Boman Irani, and Imtiaz Ali talk about their craft.
Directing Gems: Filmmakers like Shekhar Kapur and Madhur Bhandarkar are taking masterclasses on how to navigate the “Orange Economy” (the creative economy) in 2026.

4. Why This Matters for Delhi’s Economy

The ‘Aerotropolis’ Connection: With the Noida International Airport inauguration happening on the 28th, Delhi is positioning itself as a “Film Tourism” destination. The goal is to make Delhi a preferred shooting location over Mumbai by showing off infrastructure like Yashobhoomi and Kartavya Path.
CineXchange: Behind the scenes, the IFFD CineXchange is where the money moves. Producers and OTT platforms (Netflix, Prime, Jio) are meeting indie filmmakers to buy rights and fund new projects.

5. How to Get In?

The best part? Public screenings are free, but you have to be fast.

Registration: You need to register on the official IFFD website. Seats at Bharat Mandapam fill up within minutes of the schedule going live.
Mobile Units: If you can’t make it to the main venues, keep an eye out for the mobile screening units moving through different neighborhoods in North and South Delhi.

What’s Coming Up Next?

March 28: A special spotlight on regional cinema (Tamil, Telugu, and North-Eastern films).
March 31: The Closing Ceremony at Bharat Mandapam, featuring the screening of Amoeba from the Singapore International Film Festival partnership.

The Bottom Line:

Delhi is no longer just the seat of power; for this week, it’s the seat of imagination. Whether you want to catch a niche documentary from Poland or see a Bollywood superstar in person, the IFFD has turned the city into a giant open-air theatre.