Kanpur & Lucknow, September 19, 2025: After a spectacular opening in Delhi, the 13th edition of Rajnigandha Presents Jagran Film Festival (JFF), the world’s largest traveling film festival, is now set to create history in Kanpur and Lucknow from September 19th to 21st, 2025. Staying true to its philosophy of Good Cinema for Everyone, JFF continues its journey of bringing celebrated stories, timeless tributes, impactful masterclasses, powerful premieres, and conversations that celebrate diversity and the power of cinema to audiences across India.
The Kanpur edition will open with the highly anticipated film Jolly LLB 3, directed by Subhash Kapoor, setting the tone for an exciting line-up. Adding depth to the programme is an engaging in-conversation session with Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri and Darshan Kumaar, along with the screening of The Bengal Files. The selection also features Phule, directed by Anant Narayan Mahadevan, and the closing film, Dua Qabool, directed by Manohar Mohabbat Iyer, further enriching Kanpur’s cinematic showcase. In addition to these films, Kanpur will also witness an interesting conversation with the talented actor Yashpal Sharma on the art of transformation, a special session with voice artist and actor Vijay Vikram Singh to discuss the voiceover industry, and an impactful masterclass with Deepak Pant about the advancements in VFX and AI.
Meanwhile, the Lucknow chapter will begin with a special session featuring Bhuvan Arora and Shachindra Vats, who will share insights on their upcoming show Janaawar: The Beast Within. The opening film will be Jolly LLB 3, followed by the Golden Jubilee celebration of the iconic film in Indian Cinema, Sholay. The city will also host an engaging in-conversation session with Tahir Raj Bhasin. Retaining its spirit of inclusivity, the festival will feature the World Premiere of Papa’s Film directed by Prithviraj Das, as well as the much-loved Dhanak as part of JFF Little Lights, celebrating stories through the lens of young voices, and the Lucknow chapter will close with Radheshyam Pipalwa’s film Putul. Lucknow’s cinematic journey will offer both nostalgia and discovery, bringing together classics, contemporary gems, and new voices.”
Speaking about the upcoming editions, Basant Rathore, Sr. VP – Strategy and Brand Development, Jagran Prakashan Ltd., said, “At Jagran Film Festival, our endeavour has always been to take cinema to the heart of India and bring audiences closer to stories that matter. As we reach Lucknow and Kanpur, we are celebrating not just films, but also the spirit of these cities — steeped in culture, history, and an abiding love for art. The festival here is more than a showcase; it is a dialogue between filmmakers and audiences, between tradition and new voices. We are excited to present a bouquet of films that will move, inspire, and entertain, and we look forward to the warmth and passion with which Uttar Pradesh embraces cinema every year.”
As JFF 2025 travels through 14 cities across India, the Kanpur and Lucknow legs promise three days of exceptional cinema, cultural celebration, and community engagement. With its mix of premieres, retrospectives, and special showcases, the festival continues to reaffirm its place as India’s most far-reaching cinematic movement.
~ Catch the 13th edition of Jagran Film Festival in Lucknow and Kanpur from September 19th to 21th, 2025, and be part of a celebration where cinema goes beyond entertainment to inspire dialogue, reflection, and connection ~
About Jagran Film Festival
More than just a festival, JFF is a journey that takes cinema to the people. With screenings, workshops, and conversations across cities, it creates spaces where audiences meet stories that stay with them long after the credits roll.