New Delhi: Dharm Raj was waiting outside the hall for over an hour, eyes fixed on its entrance, hoping for a glimpse of Manoj Bajpayee. The 25-year-old theatre actor from Uttar Pradesh came with a single-minded goal. “I am a huge fan of Manoj Bajpayee. They are screening Shool and I wanted to watch it. I was waiting for a long time but missed him going in by just a few minutes,” Raj said, half-disappointed, half-thrilled to just be there.Around him at Bharat Mandapam, the mood was electric. People of all ages milled about outside screening halls, debating choices, checking schedules and trying to decide on the films they didn’t want to miss. This was the pulse of the inaugural International Film Festival Delhi (IFFD), a week-long celebration of cinema that runs till March 31.Positioned as more than just a film festival, IFFD aims to bring together stories from across the world. It is envisioned as a space where cinema “pushes form, confronts ideas and illuminates new ways of seeing,” inviting filmmakers and audiences alike to engage with storytelling that inspires and challenges.Organised by Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation in association with Delhi govt, the festival is spread across multiple venues and features over 125 Indian and international films, alongside gala premieres, panel discussions, masterclasses and cultural events.But beyond the scale and ambition, it is the people who give the festival its character. For some, it’s about the stars; for others, it’s about stories.Shubham, a CA aspirant, found himself navigating both excitement and confusion. “Registration was a bit complex for me,” he said, adding that came specifically for a seminar on the impact of AI on filmmaking. His enthusiasm was unmissable. “Spanish actor Enrique Arce from Money Heist was here. I was very excited to meet him,” he said.There were first-timers like Faridabad’s Hargun, Japleen and Aryan, who discovered the festival through Instagram. “We’re not really film enthusiasts, but we saw reels of it and wanted to experience it,” they said. They are planning a return visit, this time for a screening of Sholay on March 30.For Shivshank, a mechanical engineering student from DSU, the festival turned into an evolving plan. “I came with friends and planned to watch The Mehta Boys, but they left midway. I decided to stay back for Boman Irani,” he said. “Watching films here feels different from anywhere else. I’ve already called another group of friends to join me. I’m looking forward to the cultural night.”On Friday, films like Kalamkaaval, Neru and Made in Korea drew audiences into packed halls, while masterclasses added another layer of engagement. Bajpayee spoke on redefining the Indian protagonist, while Irani led a session on the journey — from scriptwriting to acting.The festival also carries a sense of cinematic continuity. The International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was originally hosted in Delhi for several years since its inception in 1952, with the capital serving as its primary venue. Screenings were held at major auditoriums and cultural centres, attracting diplomats, filmmakers and cinema enthusiasts from across the world. However, in 2004, the festival was permanently shifted to Goa. According to the visitors at IFFD, it feels like a return, an attempt to reclaim Delhi’s place on the global film festival map.By opening up international cinema to the public and creating spaces for interaction between artistes, technicians and audiences, IFFD is trying to turn the capital into a cultural hub. And if Dharm Raj’s quiet wait outside a screening hall is anything to go by, the magic of cinema is already doing its work
