The much-awaited JFF 2025 is set to take place in Meerut with a vibrant lineup of films, conversations, and special sessions. The festival this year expands its inclusivity with the introduction of a dedicated children’s section alongside a strong slate of Indian features.
The festival will open with His Story of Itihas (Dir: Manpreet Dhami / 144 mins / Hindi / India / 2025 / Indian Feature).
Namit is a science teacher who believes in logic, modern thinking and moving forward in life. He lives a happy life with his wife, Kanchan and daughter, Riya. But things take a turn when Riya starts asking tough questions after reading her school history books, questions about caste, religion, women’s rights and how people are treated differently. At first, Namit laughs it off. He says history doesn’t matter, only the future does. But when Riya writes something in school that shocks the teacher, Namit is forced to take it seriously.
He begins to look closely at what children are being taught. His search takes him from school staff rooms to TV debates, from fake history activists to scholars. As he digs deeper, he starts to question everything he thought he knew—about the past, about society and even about himself. Through Namit’s personal journey, the story explores how history is more than just old stories in a book. It shapes how children think, how families behave and how a nation sees itself. This is a story of one father, one child, and one big question: Who decides what the truth is?
Since its inception, JFF has primarily curated films for audiences above 18 years. However, this year the festival introduces a dedicated Children’s Special Section in the morning slot.
This curated package includes a variety of films, shorts, animations, and features that touch upon themes children naturally connect with: friendship, adventure, imagination, courage, and empathy. The aim is to:
By including this section, JFF expands its inclusivity, offering wholesome family experiences while nurturing the next generation of cinema lovers.
Among the highlights is ‘Agar Magar Kintu Lekin Parantu’’ (Dir: Gautam Siddhartha / 111 mins / Hindi / India / 2025 / Indian Feature).
This story brings its profound themes into today's context, weaving a rich tapestry of emotion, drama, comedy, and fantasy. Amal, a sick child confined to his room, finds that the small window in his house becomes a gateway to his imagination, allowing him to soar high into the vast sky and break free from his confined world. Due to a severe head injury, Amal frequently loses consciousness, prompting his grandmother to keep him confined to his room. Inside this small space, Amal's imagination flourishes, creating a vibrant world.
Despite his restlessness, Amal is determined to defy his challenges, aspiring to build a boundless world. A group of Amal's admirers is devoted to making him happy at any cost, yet they view the window as an enemy. For Amal, however, the window and his diary are his closest companions. He dreams of overcoming his illness and living for everyone.
‘Agar Magar Kintu Lekin Parantu’ encapsulates the challenges to his desires. Through these bittersweet experiences, this story transports the audience back to their childhood, evoking a sense of nostalgia and reminding them of the innocence and dreams they may have forgotten in today's world.
The story revolves around a young boy with a heart full of wonder and dreams. With his boundless curiosity, he embarks on a journey filled with twists, turns, and magical discoveries. As he navigates a world where “Agar Magar” (what if) questions shape every possibility, he discovers the power of imagination, friendship, and courage.
Another key feature is ‘Phule’ (Dir: Anant Mahadevan / 129 mins / Hindi / India / 2025), a powerful biographical drama.
The film chronicles the inspiring journey of Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule, visionary social reformers who ignited a revolution in education and equality in 19th-century India.
The festival will conclude with ‘Papa’s Film’ (Dir: Prithviraj Das Gupta / 97 mins / Hindi / India / 2025 / Indian Feature).
A family business collapses and is on the verge of bankruptcy, but the head of the family wants to escape this reality and take his difficult and unpredictable family on a budget-friendly vacation to a hill station and prepare them for their inevitable downfall.
Keep reading Herzindagi for more such stories.
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