The valedictory ceremony of the Nagpur Film Festival 2026, organised jointly by Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) and the Nagpur Chalchitra Foundation, brought together film-makers, academicians, and cinema enthusiasts for an exciting evening on the future of Indian cinema. The programme began with vibrant cultural performances, including the Dangria dance of Raigad’s Katkari tribe and the Panthi folk dance from Chhattisgarh. Later, Dr Sayukta Thorat, Head of Department of Fine Arts, RTMNU; Ajay Chauhan, Om Raut, renowned film director; and Dr Vijay Khandal, Director, Knowledge Resource Centre; took the stage.

 

Raut interacted with the audience and stressed the need to create films that are remembered for substance rather than controversy, referring to enduring works like ‘Sholay’. He emphasised that Indian film-makers should focus on stories the country takes pride in, producing quality cinema that can carry authentic cultural narratives to a global audience. A parallel was drawn with the ideals of Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who, in a letter to the editorial team of Kesari, a Marathi newspaper, advised writers to remain within the bounds of law while still striving to enlighten the masses, an idea that resonated with the discussion on responsible film-making.

 

Awards were presented across categories such as Amateur Short Film, Amateur Documentary, Professional Short Film, Professional Documentary, Animation, and AI-generated Reel/Vertical. The ceremony concluded by recognising cinematic talent while reinforcing the importance of cultural authenticity and thoughtful storytelling.