Some of the finest filmmakers of Indian cinema came under one roof this weekend to be enthralled by actor Manoj Bajpayee-starrer Jugnuma—the acclaimed magical realism drama—on the big screen.
The special screening was hosted by Academy Award winner Guneet Monga Kapoor and Anurag Kashyap, who are also on board as Executive Producers for the film, which debuts in cinemas on September 12 after a spectacular global festival run.
The incredible line-up of guests included stalwarts Saeed Akhtar Mirza and Sudhir Mishra, along with makers like Vikramaditya Motwane, Abhishek Chaubey, Amar Kaushik, Vasan Bala, Advait Chandan, Ayappa KM, Nandita Das, Rima Das, Honey Trehan, Mozez Singh, Umesh Bist, Aditya Sarpotdar, Amit Joshi and Shlok Sharma.
Filmmakers left deeply moved by the cinematic experience. Rima Das shared, “I loved Jugnuma for its courage, its poetry and its stunning magic realism. The performances stayed with me long after, which is the true beauty of cinema. It’s heartening to see such films breaking boundaries and finding support to reach wider audiences.”
Vikramaditya Motwane called it “a gorgeous film with fantastic performances and a beautiful milieu. Raam Reddy’s work always moves me, and Jugnuma left me with a deep desire to fly.”
Saeed Mirza added, “It was an absolutely magnificent experience — so cinematic, so powerful, and pure poetry on screen. What a film!”
This was the second such assembly of directors banding together for Jugnuma, after a bunch of filmmakers—Vetri Maaran, Lijo Jose Pellissery, Raj B. Shetty and Nag Ashwin—launched the film’s trailer last week.
Jugnuma, written and directed by Raam Reddy, stars Manoj Bajpayee with Deepak Dobriyal, Priyanka Bose, Tillotama Shome, Hiral Sidhu & Awan Pookot. Produced by Prspctvs Production in collaboration with Maxmedia and Sikhya Entertainment, the film is presented by Guneet Monga Kapoor and Anurag Kashyap. Distributed in India by Flip Films & Cinepolis, it releases theatrically on September 12, 2025.
