PRIYANKA NAMED JIO MAMI MUMBAI FILM FESTIVAL CHAIRPERSON

NEW DELHI: Actor-producer Priyanka Chopra Jonas on Tuesday was announced as the chairperson of Jio MAMI Film Festival, almost four months after Deepika Padukone stepped down from the position.

The Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) unveiled its plans for the coming year, edition and the change in leadership.

Priyanka was unanimously nominated by MAMI’s Board of Trustees which comprises Nita M Ambani (Co-Chairperson), Anupama Chopra (Festival Director), Ajay Bijli, Anand G. Mahindra, Farhan Akhtar, Isha Ambani, Kabir Khan, Kaustubh Dhavse, Kiran Rao, Rana Daggubati, Riteish Deshmukh, Rohan Sippy, Siddharth Roy Kapur, Vikramaditya Motwane, Vishal Bhardwaj and Zoya Akhtar.

Priyanka is “proud” to be taking on the role of chairperson of the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival. She is looking forward to working alongside powerhouse women in the team and taking the festival “to the next level”. “I’ve hit the road running… with ideas, thoughts and plans on reimagining the festival to find its rightful place in a world that has changed so much in such a short time. We’re all consuming film and entertainment very differently now and in the process, we’ve expanded the footprint of the cinema that we watch. I have always been a huge supporter and believer in films from across India and together, we hope to create a strong platform to showcase Indian cinema to the world,” she said.

Isha said the team is thrilled to have the 39-year-old star on board. “Now more than ever, we need to nurture the power of cinema and art to heal and help humanity move forward. I look forward to my dear friend Priyanka Chopra Jonas joining our team and leading the way for Jio MAMI to reach new heights. She is a multifaceted global artist and a force of nature, we are privileged to have her on board,” she said.

Anupama said Priyanka’s announcement as the new chairperson aligns with Jio MAMI’s “strong tradition of female leadership.” “The indomitable Priyanka Chopra Jonas now joins as chairperson. She is a global icon. Her passion and vision will take MAMI to the next level,” she said. The board also welcomed two new members to its fold, acclaimed filmmaker Anjali Menon and renowned filmmaker and archivist Shivendra Singh Dungarpur.

The tentative dates of the festival are 11 to 15 March 2022.