Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam inaugurates Haryana Film Festival 2025

Rohtak, April 4, 2025: Haryana Film Festival is an important cultural event, which will not only promote the culture and language of Haryana, but will also give a new identity to the talents of the state. These sentiments were expressed by Haryana's Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship, Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam while inaugurating the Haryana Film Festival 2025 in the Tagore Auditorium of MDU, Rohtak.

Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam, as the chief guest, inaugurated this two-day film festival organized under the joint aegis of Cine Foundation, Haryana (Vishwa Samvad Kendra) and MDU and emphasized on the development of Haryana's film industry. He said that such programs will pave the way for the Haryanvi film industry to get international fame and the film actors, producers, directors and others associated with it will also get more employment opportunities.

Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam on this occasion called upon the youth to join sports and art to avoid drug addiction. Announcing the establishment of a Center of Excellence by the Ministry of Sports in MDU, he said that this center will prove to be a milestone in the times to come. He also announced to give Rs 5 lakh for this film festival. The Sports Minister released the souvenir of this film festival and extended his best wishes. In the program, emotional tributes were paid to the great actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar on his demise.

In his presidential address, MDU Vice Chancellor Prof. Rajbir Singh said that films are not only a means of entertainment, but they are a powerful medium to bring social and cultural change in the society. Kshetrs Parchar Parmukh of RSS, Anil Kumar, talked about the focus on making positive films and said that solutions to the social problems should be found through films. He emphasized on bringing forward important aspects and events related to the history of Haryana through cinema.

Eminent screenwriter Advaita Kala said in her address that through films, the script can be brought on stage and one can share his thoughts with the audience. Special guest Chitranjan Tripathi, Director of National School of Drama, said that drama shows a mirror to the society and makes cinema sensitive. Special guest Rajesh Jain said that films give shape to imaginations and leave a deep impression on the society.

President of Vishwa Samvad Kendra (Haryana), Dr. Markandey Ahuja expressed his gratitude and said that this film festival will give a new vision to the Haryanvi film industry. At the beginning of the program, Secretary of Vishwa Samvad Kendra, Rajesh Kumar threw light on the outline of this two-day film festival. Eminent Haryanvi cultural worker Padmashree Mahavir Guddu blew the conch at the beginning of the program. MDU's Sanskrit Department Professor Dr. Ravi Prabhat introduced the guests.

Atul Gangwar, Secretary of Bharatiya Chitra Sadhna, Chandrashekhar, Chairman of Haryana Film Organizing Committee, Vice President Hariom Kaushik, Secretary Dr. Rakesh Yogi along with other officials and members, MDU's Dean Academic Affairs Prof. A.S. Mann, Registrar Dr. Krishnakant, Dean Student Welfare Prof. Randeep Rana, Director Youth Welfare Dr. Pratap Rathi, HOD Journalism & Mass Communication Prof. Harish Kumar along with other officials, faculty members, students, eminent Haryanvi culture worker Dr. Maha Singh Poonia, Raghuvendra Malik, Manish Saini, artists of Haryana, producer-directors and people associated with the film industry, dignitaries of the city were present on the occasion.

Two master classes were organized on the first day of Haryana Film Festival 2025. The first master class was focused on the topic Script to Cinema, which was conducted by eminent screenwriter Adveta Kala, Secretary of Bharatiya Chitra Sadhna Atul Gangwar and eminent producer-director Manish Saini. The second master class was focused on the role of songs and music in the development of Haryanvi culture, which was conducted by eminent culture workers - Mahavir Kaushik, Padma Shri Mahavir Guddu and Maha Singh Poonia.

On the first day of the festival, Haryanvi films were screened in three sessions, especially Udaan, Brainrot, Hariganga, Screen Ka Nasha, Chau. Kaushal Singh Dahiya, The Digital Paradox, Veer, Thath Haryana Ke, Gram Vikas, Shaheed, Jind, Tamash, Aaj Se Abhi Se, Mahendgarh- A Journey Through History, Shakti of Education, Johar Ek Dharohar, Social Jat, Hali Ki Thali, Kalakaar- Ek Journey, Surajkund, Ladko Ko Bhi Toko, Chulha, Gauravshali Haryana and Seva Parmo Dharma were prominent. Apart from this, Bakri and Bhoga Bhagat films were screened in special screenings. 

The poster exhibition related to Haryanvi films in the gallery of Tagore Auditorium was the center of special attraction for the audience. This poster exhibition depicts the glorious development journey of the Haryanvi film industry. The poster exhibition displays posters of Haryanvi films and photos of eminent actors, producers-directors and artists of Haryana.