Ram Madhvani and Mahaveer Jain discuss the role of cinema in nation building at IFFI 2025: ‘We have forgotten the tragic hero’: Bollywood News
National Award-winning filmmaker and Emmy-nominated director Ram Madhvani and renowned Indian film producer Mahaveer Jain came together at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa for an engaging conversation on ‘The Power and Impact of Our Stories on Nation Building’. The interesting session was hosted by Divyansh Jain, the current youngest producer and director in the film industry.
Ram Madhvani and Mahaveer Jain discuss the role of cinema in nation building at IFFI 2025: ‘We have forgotten the tragic hero’
Founded in 1952, IFFI remains South Asia’s only film festival accredited by the International Federation of Film Producers’ Associations (FIAPF) in the Competitive Feature Film category. Each year it continues to showcase and celebrate iconic cinema from around the world.
The insightful session featuring Mahaveer Jain and Ram Madhvani explored storytelling, the values that guide creators and the cultural influences that shape their work, while also highlighting the responsibility of filmmakers and the emotional impact of cinema.
Speaking about India’s cultural values, film philosopher Ram Madhvani said, “India has always been a civilization shaped by stories. Whether it was the Ramayana or the Mahabharata, these epics were more than tales; they were moral compasses, emotional guides and reflections of who we are. As creators today, we inherit this legacy. Our responsibility is to create stories that not only entertain, but which also convey the values, issues and memories that define us. I believe that storytelling is a sacred heritage, an act that allows us to better understand ourselves and show the world who India really is.
Also speaking about India’s cultural and spiritual heritage, renowned producer Mahaveer Jain highlighted the importance of sharing the country’s ancient wisdom with global audiences through cinema and entertainment. He noted, “We have solutions to everything in the ancient wisdom given to us by our own sages,” noted Mahaveer Jain. “If India can offer anything to the world, it is this: our ancient wisdom. This wisdom is what we should propagate through the entertainment media, and this is also what I request you all to do,” he observed.
Talking about his cinematic approach and the emotion he strives to evoke in the audience, visionary director Ram Madhvani shared, “I am interested in tragedy. We have forgotten the tragic hero. We have the romantic, action and comedy heroes, but the tragic hero or heroine – Meena Kumari, Dilip Kumar, even Shah Rukh Khan – are people who have really affected us. Tragedy is one thing I miss. In whatever I do, the The only nerve I want to press, to purify you, is to make you cry with everything you’re experiencing in your life – if I can use the work I’m proposing to try to see how you can achieve catharsis, that’s what I’d like to do.
He also added, “Guide was one of the greatest spiritual films made in India. I aspire to make another one!”
The International Film Festival of India continues to serve as a vital platform where filmmakers, producers and storytellers come together to explore the role of cinema in shaping culture, identity and national narrative.
Also Read: MEGA EXCLUSIVE: Tiger Shroff to headline Neerja director Ram Madhvani and Mahaveer Jain’s big SPIRITUAL action thriller, made for a global audience
BOLLYWOOD NEWS – LIVE UPDATES
Catch us for latest Bollywood News, New Bollywood Movies update, Box office collection, New Movies Release, Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood Live News Today & upcoming movies 2025 and stay updated with latest hindi movies only on Bollywood Hungama.
