Two of India’s biggest film stars are heading to Goa this November. The 57th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) has confirmed that Ranveer Singh’s action thriller Dhurandhar will open the Indian Panorama section, while Ranbir Kapoor’s mythological epic Ramayana will open the BRICS cinema showcase. The festival runs from November 20 to 28, 2026, under the theme “Stories Without Borders”.
The announcement came at a curtain-raiser press conference in Goa on Friday, November 13, 2026, led by festival director Ashutosh Gowariker and NFDC Managing Director Dheeraj Singh. The lineup pulls from 1,900 submissions across 137 countries and will screen more than 150 international films from 86 nations.
Dhurandhar Kicks Off Indian Panorama
Dhurandhar, directed by Aditya Dhar, opens the feature film segment of Indian Panorama. The film stars Ranveer Singh as an undercover Indian agent tasked with infiltrating criminal networks in Pakistan. The first Dhurandhar film released on December 5, 2025, and a sequel, Dhurandhar: The Revenge, arrived in cinemas on March 19, 2026.
The cast includes Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and R. Madhavan. Dheeraj Singh confirmed the selection at the press conference, saying the programming committee and juries chose the title to headline the category.
Indian Panorama is IFFI’s flagship section for domestic cinema. This year, it will present 25 feature films and 20 non-feature entries drawn from 404 feature submissions and 358 non-feature submissions. The non-feature section opens with Becoming, a Ladakhi-language film directed by Leena Yadav.
“Dhurandhar will be the opening film of the Indian Panorama’s feature film section and ‘Becoming’ (a Ladakhi film), will open the non-feature film section.” โ Dheeraj Singh, NFDC Managing Director
Ramayana Leads the BRICS Lineup
Ramayana: Rise of a Legend, directed by Nitesh Tiwari, will inaugurate the BRICS special focus. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram, Yash as Raavan, and Sai Pallavi in a lead role. It covers the legend of Lord Ram and his 14-year exile into the forest.
The film released in theatres worldwide on November 5, 2026, across premium formats including IMAX. A second part is scheduled for Diwali 2027. The BRICS segment at IFFI will feature films from all 11 member nations alongside partner countries.
The BRICS showcase also includes titles such as Jessica Beshir’s Faya Dayi and Anastasia Kuzina’s Bo Bo from Russia’s partner-country lineup. The segment aims to give audiences a window into storytelling traditions from across the bloc.
A Festival Built Around Borderless Stories
IFFI 2026 will screen 159 international titles from 87 nations alongside 76 Indian films in 18 languages. The opening film is Paweล Pawlikowski’s Fatherland, which won Best Director at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. The closing film is Anthony Chen’s We Are All Strangers from Singapore.
Festival director Ashutosh Gowariker explained the theme in personal terms.
“Borders today are not only lines on a map, they are also habits. A story is one of the few things that can cross such a line without a passport. The distance shrinks. That is what cinema does best and that is the thought behind our theme.” โ Ashutosh Gowariker, Festival Director
Spain is the Country of Honour, bringing four films including Pedro Almodรณvar’s Bitter Christmas. Russia is the Partner Country with a four-film showcase. The festival has also introduced two new segments: Animation and Films About Films, each featuring five titles.
What the Indian Panorama Selection Means
The Indian Panorama opening slot is a significant platform for Dhurandhar. The film is a spy thriller built around a decade-long intelligence operation, and its sequel expanded the story with characters played by Madhavan, Arjun Rampal, and Sanjay Dutt. The first film released in December 2025, and the sequel followed in March 2026.
Dhurandhar joins a lineup that includes Madhur Bhandarkar as chairperson of the feature film jury and Himanshu Shekhar Khatua leading the non-feature jury. The Best Debut Feature Films Competition includes seven entries, among them The Sledge and Birds on Ice from India.
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Ramayana’s Festival Run After Theatrical Release
Ramayana: Rise of a Legend arrives at IFFI after its November 5, 2026 theatrical launch. The film is a two-part adaptation, with the second instalment set for Diwali 2027. The BRICS opening slot places it alongside cinema from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and the expanded member nations.
The film’s cast also includes Yash as the antagonist Raavan, marking a major role for the KGF star in a Hindi-language epic. The IFFI screening gives the film a festival platform following its worldwide release.
Also Read: Hema Malini Calls Ramayana a โCompletely Unique Experienceโ for Indian Audiences: Box Office and Cast Details
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