Star power and storytelling shine: Rajit Kapur enlightens KWFF with Acting Masterclass as eight diverse films grace day 5 screenings

SRINAGAR: The fifth day of the 5th Kashmir World Film Festival (KWFF) at Tagore Hall, Srinagar, turned into a masterful celebration of cinematic artistry and performance insight, as acclaimed actor Rajit Kapur took center stage to deliver an engaging and thought-provoking masterclass on the "Comparative Study of Acting for Theatre and Films."

The morning session, which began at 10:00 a.m., drew a packed audience of aspiring actors, filmmakers, and cinema lovers eager to learn from one of India’s most versatile performers. Rajit Kapur shared his deep understanding of the nuances that distinguish stage acting from film performance — emphasizing emotional truth, restraint, and the subtlety demanded by the camera, in contrast to the projection and energy required for theatre.

Participants described the session as “transformative and enriching”, lauding Kapur’s ability to bridge theory with personal anecdotes from his decades-long career in film and theatre. The masterclass underscored KWFF’s commitment to nurturing young talent and promoting serious cinematic education alongside film appreciation.

Following the masterclass, eight films from India and abroad were screened, showcasing a wide range of storytelling styles, languages, and emotions:

1. Revival (Itibritto) – Dir. Mahmud Hasan (Bengali, India)
2. A Night, After All – Dir. Anshul Agrawal (Hindi, India)
3. Exception – Dir. Ezzaldeen Shalh (Arabic, Palestine)
4. Jurrat – Dir. Jagtar Singh Kalwana (Punjabi, India)
5. The Missing Boy – Dir. Malay Kumar Roy (Assamese, India)
6. Love in Forties (Nalpattukalile Pranayam) – Dir. Remesh S. Makayiram (Malayalam, India)
7. Malayali Memorial – Dir. Nitheesh Sudha (Malayalam, India)
8. Nandhan – Dir. Saravanan R. (Tamil, India)*

A highlight of the day was the special screening of “A Night, After All”, a poignant Hindi film featuring Rajit Kapur himself, which was screened in his presence. The audience warmly received the film, praising Kapur’s nuanced performance and the film’s reflective tone.

To honor his remarkable contribution to Indian cinema and theatre, Rajit Kapur was felicitated during the occasion, receiving applause from guests, filmmakers, and attendees for his enduring influence on the craft of acting.

The day concluded with an atmosphere of admiration and inspiration — blending star power, cinematic diversity, and the festival’s ongoing mission to celebrate creativity and cultural dialogue through film.

Looking Ahead:
The cinematic journey continues tomorrow, November 6 (Day 6), with another exciting line-up. At 10:00 a.m., renowned actor Lalit Parimoo will conduct a Masterclass, delving into his experience in acting, performance psychology, and the evolution of cinema as an artistic medium.

From 12:00 noon onwards, audiences will be treated to 11 films in multiple languages and genres, promising yet another day of global storytelling and cinematic excellence.

As the festival enters its sixth day, the Kashmir World Film Festival continues to serve as a vibrant platform of artistic exchange, reaffirming Kashmir’s place as a rising hub of cinematic culture and creative collaboration.