Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur appointed IFFI festival director

Renowned filmmaker Shekhar Kapur, best known for directing films such as “Mr. India,” “Bandit Queen,” and “Elizabeth,” has been appointed as the festival director for the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting announced that Kapur will lead the festival, which takes place annually in Goa, for its 55th and 56th editions.

The official notification from the ministry stated, “With the approval of the Competent Authority, it has been decided to appoint Shri Shekhar Kapur as the Festival Director for the 55th and 56th editions of the International Film Festival of India, Goa.”

At 78 years old, Shekhar Kapur is an influential figure in Indian cinema and is one of the earliest Indian directors to gain recognition in Hollywood, particularly with his film “Elizabeth” and its sequel “Elizabeth: The Golden Age.” Some of his notable works in India include “Masoom,” “Mr. India,” and “Bandit Queen.”

Recently, he directed the British comedy “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” Kapur previously chaired the International competition Jury at the 54th IFFI and also served as the chairperson of the Film and Television Institute of India, based in Pune, from 2020 to 2023.