JAIPUR (TIP): Noted Indian film critic and journalist Murtaza Ali Khan has been bestowed with the RIFF 2025 – Award for Excellence for Contribution in Cinema/TV/Media by His Highness Maharaja Shri Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur and the Rajasthan International Film Festival (RIFF). The prestigious honor recognizes Khan’s exceptional contributions to cinema and media, celebrating his extensive work across print, digital, radio, and television platforms.
Expressing his gratitude, Murtaza Ali Khan stated, “Rajasthan International Film Festival enjoys a great legacy of blending the regional with the international. The Festival Directors Somendra Harsh and Anshu Harsh have been instrumental in putting Rajasthan on the world cinema map. I am personally grateful to His Highness Maharaja Gaj Singh ji and the festival for bestowing me with such an honor.”
With a career spanning over 15 years, Khan has been at the forefront of film criticism and media, writing for leading national and international publications. He has also served on the jury of the National Film Awards as well as various prestigious film festivals in India and abroad. His expertise extends beyond journalism, as he actively curates film festivals and retrospectives for Embassies and Cultural Institutions. His contributions to international cinema include curating and presenting retrospectives of cinematic legends such as Federico Fellini, Luis Buñuel, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Carlos Saura, and João Moreira Salles. Additionally, he has organized numerous thematic film festivals, including Japanese Samurai Classics, Spanish Icons, Ibero-American Cinema, City of Berlin, Italian Fare Cinema, Austrian Short Films, and Kinoteka Polish Film Festival.
Khan’s impact in media is equally profound. He has conducted interviews with leading national and international figures from cinema, entertainment, art, and culture. A regular presence on television, he appears as a film expert and media critic on prominent news channels. Additionally, he has translated the bestselling book on Indian cinema, ‘Hindujas and Bollywood,’ into English. With a diverse academic background encompassing science and technology, management, and digital media and arts, Murtaza Ali Khan continues to shape film discourse and cultural appreciation both in India and globally.
The 2025 Rajasthan International Film Festival proudly presented a special screening of Chitraanjali, a film that highlights the extraordinary journey of Polish artist Stefan Norblin in India, on the final day of the festival. This unique presentation forms a vital part of the festival’s ongoing commitment to celebrating the confluence of diverse cultural narratives and artistic legacies.
Malgorzata Wejsis-Gołębiak, Director of the Polish Institute, shared her enthusiasm for the event, stating: “We are honored to participate in this prestigious festival and to present Chitraanjali, a film that sheds light on the remarkable journey of Polish artist Stefan Norblin in India. His work, deeply embedded in the artistic heritage of Jodhpur, Morvi, and Ramgarh, is a testament to the enduring cultural ties between Poland and India. This screening is not just a tribute to Norblin’s legacy but also a celebration of the shared artistic and historical connections between our two nations.”
Following the screening, a dynamic discussion took place featuring Malgorzata Wejsis-Gołębiak alongside Khan. The dialogue was further enriched by the participation of Sunil Laghate, Centre Director of the Mehrangarh Art Conservation Centre (MACC), and Rajat Jangid, conservator-restorer at Mehrangarh Art Conservation Centre, who contributed valuable insights on art conservation and cultural heritage.
This special event at the festival not only celebrated the artistic endeavors of Stefan Norblin but also underscored the importance of preserving and promoting the cultural bonds that unite India and Poland. The festival continues to serve as a platform for fostering international dialogue, cross-cultural exchange, and creative collaboration in the world of cinema and the arts.
Speaking about Poland’s participation, Somendra Harsh, Festival Director, Rajasthan International Film Festival said, “We are thrilled to have Poland as a participating country at the 2025 Rajasthan International Film Festival and to host Ms. Malgorzata Wejsis-Gołębiak, Director of the Polish Institute. Polish cinema has a rich legacy, with visionary filmmakers like Andrzej Wajda, Krzysztof Kieślowski, and Agnieszka Holland leaving an indelible mark on world cinema. We look forward to continuing this collaboration, fostering deeper cultural exchange through the power of storytelling.”
At the closing ceremony, the Polish filmmaker Rafael Stemplewski was bestowed with the RIFF 2025 Award for ‘Excellence for Contribution to International Cinema’ by His Highness Maharaja Shri Gaj Singh II of Jodhpur. Malgorzata Wejsis-Gołębiak, Director, Polish Institute, was also recognized for her lifelong commitment towards boosting the cultural ties between India and Poland.