#IFFIWood, 25 November 2025

IFFIsiasts are awarded with an opportunity on day 6 of 56^th IFFI to eavesdrop on the stories behind ‘Whispers of The Mountains’ when Director Jigar Nagda and Producer Jitendra Mishra met media at the Press Conference Hall at Goa. The excitement got continued and amplified when Director Tharun Moorthy, Producer M. Renjith and Executive Producer Avantika Renjith from the Malayalam movie ‘Thudarum’ (to be continued) joined the same event.

In his opening remark Director Jigar Nagda shared that his time back home in Rajasthan during Covid allowed him to understand, the boosting economical effect of mining in the area; but simultaneously how people are ignorant about the lasting effect of the environmental degradation due to such a heavy mining. He clearly mentioned that after making a documentary on the same subject, he felt the urge to arrest the attention through the feature style also.

Producer Jitendra Mishra recalled starting his film journey with I Am Kalam and shared his long-standing fascination with regional cinema. It was Nagda’s unique craft and narrative sensitivity, he mentioned, that ultimately persuaded him to produce this film.

“As a citizen, I feel compelled to raise my concerns through my art. I enjoy blending social reflection with cinematic entertainment”, Director Tharun Moorthy set the tone for the forum through his opening line for ‘Thudarum’.

Being the Executive Producer Ms. Avantika shared that the story of Thudarum first reached their production house 12 years ago, but they waited for the right director to bring it to life. It was only after watching Tharun’s debut film that her father, Producer M. Renjith became so captivated by his vision that the project finally moved to the floors. She added, with a smile, that both her father and the director are among the biggest Mohanlal fans.

While replying to a question Mr. Moorthy reflected, “Our strength lies in emotion. Not in grand visuals or massive budgets, but in characters we truly live with. That’s what helped the film connect globally—even with a fraction of the budget of bigger industries. Audiences everywhere, not just Malayalis, are now gravitating toward grounded, honest storytelling rather than larger-than-life portrayals. And that’s the space we’re excited to explore further.”

And Director Nagda concluded the session replying to a comment, “I’m genuinely honoured that my film is being compared to Majid Majidi’s work. I discovered world cinema through him—Baran, The Willow Tree, and many others became my film school favourites. Iranian cinema shaped the way I think about storytelling, and its craft naturally flows into my film as well. My love for long shots also comes from that influence. It’s not a widely embraced style in India, but to me, even the simplest movement in a long take carries emotional purpose. I’m grateful that you noticed.”

Synopsis of ‘Whispers of The Mountains’

Set in the harsh beauty of the Aravalis, the film follows a father battling silicosis and a son mourning the mountains torn apart by mining. As the boy’s small acts of healing collide with the family’s struggle to survive, their story becomes a moving reflection on love, loss, and the fragile bond between humans and the earth.

Synopsis of ‘Thudarum’

In the serene hills of Ranni, former fight choreographer Shanmugham—fondly called Benz—lives a quiet life with his family and their beloved black Ambassador. But when three policemen drag him into a sinister cover-up, their peaceful world unravels. What follows is a gripping tale of a family pushed to its limits by fear, betrayal, and the fight to hold on to each other.

Link to view the Press Conference:

About IFFI

Born in 1952, the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) stands tall as South Asia’s oldest and largest celebration of cinema. Jointly hosted by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India and the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), State Government of Goa, the festival has grown into a global cinematic powerhouse—where restored classics meet bold experiments, and legendary maestros share space with fearless first-timers. What makes IFFI truly sparkle is its electric mix—international competitions, cultural showcases, masterclasses, tributes, and the high-energy WAVES Film Bazaar, where ideas, deals and collaborations take flight. Staged against Goa’s stunning coastal backdrop from November 20–28, the 56th edition promises a dazzling spectrum of languages, genres, innovations, and voices—an immersive celebration of India’s creative brilliance on the world stage.

For more information, click on:

IFFI Website: https://www.iffigoa.org/

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PIB IFFIWood Broadcast Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaEiBaML2AU6gnzWOm3F

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PIB IFFI CAST AND CREW | Ritu Shukla/Sayyid Rabeehashmi/Debayan Bhadury/Darshana Rane | IFFI 56 - 068