By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha inaugurated the five-day Patna Cine Festa 2024 at the House of Variety located at Regent Cinema in Patna on Wednesday. Alongside the Deputy CM, Additional Chief Secretary of the Art, Culture, and Youth Department, Harjot Kaur Bamhra, and House of Variety founder Suman also participated in the lamp-lighting ceremony.
During the event, Vijay Kumar Sinha emphasized the cultural significance of film festivals, stating that such events offer people the opportunity to explore diverse languages and cultures through cinema. “Films reflect society, raising awareness about different cultures, environments, heritage, art, and stories. They open global doors for talent, providing recognition and new business opportunities on an international scale,” Sinha remarked.
He also highlighted the transformative power of art, describing it as a form of revolution that inspires artists and brings about significant social change. “Films often expose societal evils with simplicity, using impactful dialogues to instill change in the audience’s minds. Such portrayals are memorable and influential,” he added.
Harjot Kaur Bamhra, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Art, Culture, and Youth, Government of Bihar, also addressed the ceremony. She stated that the primary purpose of organizing Cine Festa 2024 is to promote such festivals in Patna, showcasing many excellent films and fostering an understanding of filmcraft. “Films are a powerful medium for storytelling. We all love stories, which we have heard since childhood from our family. These stories leave a lasting impact on our lives, much like films do,” she said.
It is noteworthy that leading artists will participate in the film festival, which runs from June 19 to June 23. Attendees will have the chance to see many unreleased films that have not been shown in any cinema or on OTT platforms. The opening ceremony also featured addresses by actor, producer, and dialogue coach Vikas Kumar, National Award-winning film director Nilanjan Rita Dutta, senior film critic Ajay Brahmatmaj, festival director Suman Sinha, and the festival’s artistic director Raviraj Patel.
The author is a Patna based journalist
