Sharmila Tagore Celebrates Creative Freedom with Age at Delhi Film Festival 2026
Veteran actor Sharmila Tagore emphasized the artistic liberation that accompanies advancing years as she was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the opening ceremony of the International Film Festival of Delhi 2026. In her remarks to the media, Tagore singled out her recent Bengali film Puratawn as a standout achievement in her illustrious career.
Tagore Praises Age-Appropriate Role in 'Puratawn'
"It feels absolutely great because it gives an opportunity for people in Delhi to see different kinds of films, different language films," Tagore stated. "Like one of my Bengali films, Puratawn, a 2025 film, will be screening on the 29th. That was my last film a few years ago—actually, it's a recent film. I'm very happy I've done it; it's very age-appropriate, and I think it's one of my best, if not the best."
Expanding on her experience working on the film, Tagore underscored how maturity has profoundly influenced her craft. "There's so much freedom that comes with age," she explained. "You don't have to really look pretty, and your face is not so much of a focus. So you can act so much better with freedom. I'm very happy about the film."
Gratitude for Festival Honor and Screening
The actor, whose celebrated career spans decades, expressed deep appreciation for the recognition at the festival and for the inclusion of her film in the tribute lineup. "I'm very happy, of course, and I appreciate and am grateful that they're doing this for me," Tagore said. "Delhi is the capital of India, so people are very interested. I'm sure they will enjoy it."
Star-Studded Opening Ceremony at Bharat Mandapam
The International Film Festival of Delhi 2026 commenced on Wednesday evening at the prestigious Bharat Mandapam venue. The red carpet attracted a constellation of prominent figures from the film industry, including:
- Arjun Kapoor
- Nimrat Kaur
- Vicky Kaushal
- Sanya Malhotra
- Siddhant Chaturvedi
- Lauren Gottlieb
- Kangana Ranaut
- Vivek Oberoi
- Nandamuri Balakrishna
- Prosenjit Chatterjee
- Arvind Swamy
The ceremony opened with a poignant tribute marking 150 years of Vande Mataram, establishing a rich cultural ambiance for the evening. The inaugural lamp was lit by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, alongside ministers Kapil Mishra and Parvesh Sahib Singh Verma, as well as actors Hema Malini, Kangana Ranaut, and Sharmila Tagore.
Lifetime Achievement Awards and Festival Highlights
Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Sharmila Tagore, the late legendary actor Dharmendra, and Nandamuri Balakrishna, in recognition of their monumental contributions to Indian cinema. The festival launched with the screening of Sirat, directed by Oliver Laxe—a Cannes Jury Prize winner and Academy Award nominee—setting an international standard for this inaugural edition.
Organized by the Delhi Tourism and Transport Development Corporation in collaboration with the Delhi government, the festival is scheduled to run until March 31. The event promises an engaging lineup of film screenings, masterclasses, panel discussions, and cultural events, offering a comprehensive cinematic experience for attendees.
