The 7th Moonwhite Films International Film Festival (MWFIFF) 2024 culminated with a grand awards ceremony in Mumbai. The event saw luminaries like Anup Jalota, Jaspinder Narula, and Daljit Kaur as chief guests, alongside other prominent personalities. They extended their congratulations and best wishes to Devashish Sargam Raj, the festival’s founder and director. Anup Jalota personally congratulated all the award winners.
The ceremony commenced with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by Anup Jalota, Jaspinder Narula, Dilraj Kaur, Pandit Suvashit Raj, and Devashish Sargam Raj. A presentation followed, showcasing the festival’s remarkable seven-year journey. Guests such as Dayashankar, Sonam Arora, and Javed Hyder were also present to grace the occasion.
Singer Sanjay Shangloo inaugurated the event with a mesmerizing Ganpati Vandana. The performance by the Jamsaaz Band, particularly their rendition of Teri Deewani, captivated the audience.
The short film Hunar won multiple accolades, including Best Director for Sujoy Mukherjee, Best Actor for Rohit Bose Roy, Best Actress for Madhurima Tuli, Best Supporting Actor for Javed Hyder, and Best Child Artist for Vidhan Sharma. Several other films and artists were also recognized for their exemplary work. The grand ceremony, held at Mukti Auditorium in Mumbai, was presented by SBI Securities with support from Maharashtra Tourism as a co-sponsor.
A key highlight of the evening was the poster launch of the music video Kaafir Deewana, unveiled by Anup Jalota, Jaspinder Narula, and other esteemed guests. Produced by Shipra Raj, the song is composed and directed by Devashish Sargam Raj, with lyrics by Kumar and music production by Gaurav Singh. The artist Suharssh Raj, who also stars in the video, enthralled the audience by performing a few lines live, earning accolades from Anup Jalota and Jaspinder Narula, who praised his voice as heralding the arrival of a new star.
The festival also featured screenings of notable animated and short films at the Inox Theatre in Mumbai. Highlights included Baahubali: Crown of Blood Season 1, Episode 6: Dark Secrets, produced by SS Rajamouli, Sharad Devarajan, Shobu Yarlagadda, and Jeevan J. Kang. The Legend of Hanuman Season 4, produced by Sharad Devarajan, Jeevan J. Kang, and Maqbool Sheikh, trending on Hotstar, was also screened. The feature film Jaya, starring Mahi Srivastava in the lead role, was another highlight.
Devashish Sargam Raj expressed his gratitude, calling this seventh edition a tremendous success. He credited Anup Jalota as his guide and godfather, and Jaspinder Narula as a maternal figure offering invaluable guidance. Raj emphasized his commitment to creating a larger platform for short films rather than focusing solely on commercial angles. He also acknowledged the support of sponsors like SBI Securities and Maharashtra Tourism, which enabled the success of the event.
“I derive more happiness from giving awards than receiving them. The satisfaction of recognizing others’ efforts is unparalleled,” he remarked. Devashish shared insights into his multifaceted journey, balancing law studies, running a blood collection center, composing music, and directing videos, driven by an unrelenting passion for his work.
Padma Shri Anup Jalota lauded Devashish, remarking that his name, Sargam, is reflective of his harmonious and dedicated approach to work. “His perseverance and passion are evident in the seven successful years of this festival. I am confident he will continue to achieve even greater milestones,” said Jalota.
Jaspinder Narula commended Devashish for transforming the festival into a significant platform for filmmakers, attributing its success to his relentless dedication and the blessings of his parents. “I have been associated with this festival for several years and have witnessed Devashish’s relentless hard work. He truly deserves all the success,” she added.
Astrologer and jury member Pandit Suvashit Raj noted that the festival entering its seventh year marks a “lucky milestone,” predicting even greater success for its eighth edition. He congratulated all the winners and praised the dedication evident in the short films presented, calling the emergence of new talent like Suharssh Raj a promising sign.
