National Award-Winning Film Critic Sanjeev Srivastava, Filmmaker Ashok Dhingra and Documentary Director Harish Sharma Share Their Cinematic Journeys.

Filmmaker Harish Sharma and NDFF Founder Ashish K. Singh Honour Cinematographer Manika with a Specially Framed Photograph from Sharma’s Award-Winning Documentary Brazil in Banaras – The Bhairab Dutt Story

      Ashish k Singh Manika Harish Sharma 

Noida, October 25, 2026: The New Delhi Film Foundation (NDFF) successfully organised the first Noida chapter of its monthly initiative, Talk Cinema On The Floor (TCOTF), at the Ravi Sarin Film Institute on October 24. The event brought together filmmakers, critics, students and creative professionals for an engaging exchange of ideas on cinema and storytelling.

Recognising the contributions of technicians and artists working behind the camera, Sharma emphasised that cinematographers play a crucial role in transforming a director’s vision into compelling visual storytelling.

              Harish Sharma and Manika 

“A director dreams of a story, but it is the cinematographer who gives those dreams a visual identity. Manika has been an important part of my documentary journey, and recognising the people behind the camera is equally important,” said Sharma.

During the My Journey session, Sharma spoke about his transition from journalism, film public relations, media and celebrity management to filmmaking. With more than three decades of experience and associations with over 400 films, 1,000 events and 300 celebrities, he discussed his passion for discovering extraordinary stories about ordinary Indians.

He also discussed the creative vision behind his documentaries, including Adi Kailash – A Forgotten Path to the Divine, Brazil in Banaras – The Bhairab Dutt Story and A Life of Compassion – Bhikkhu Sanghasena.

His documentaries Adi Kailash and Brazil in Banaras recently received the Best Tourism Documentary and Best Sports Documentary awards, respectively, at the 11th Dehradun International Film Festival, where both films received standing ovations.

  The event also featured an insightful Writer’s Word session by National Film Award-winning critic Sanjeev Srivastava, who stressed that film criticism should examine how successfully a director translates their vision onto the screen. He also advocated greater critical attention to independent and low-budget cinema.

      National awardee Sanjeev Shrivastav

In the Craft & Crew masterclass, filmmaker and cinema educator Ashok Dhingra explained the visual language of cinema, including framing, composition and the concept of mise-en-scène.

                    Director Ashok Dhingra 

The programme began with NDFF founder Ashish K. Singh, who highlighted the foundation’s commitment to meaningful cinema, independent filmmakers and creative collaboration.

Young filmmaking students Nitish Sharma and Devansh Singh showcased their ideas during the Take the Floor segment, while Wing Commander (Dr.) R. D. Deshpande added a musical dimension to the gathering.

  Ravi Sarin Manika Sisodia Harish Sharma 

Organised in collaboration with the Ravi Sarin Film Institute, the Noida chapter marked an important expansion of TCOTF beyond Delhi after nearly eighteen months of monthly gatherings.

The event concluded with networking interactions, reinforcing NDFF’s vision of creating a collaborative platform where established filmmakers, emerging talent and cinema enthusiasts can learn, connect and celebrate the art of storytelling

Media Contact: New Delhi Film Foundation (NDFF) | 9315229560

Actor and Gorakhpur MP Ravi Kishan visits Avaada pavilion at REI Expo 2026 to explore rooftop solar solutions

Every Tehsil Can Become a Power Producer: Vineet Mittal, Chairman, Avaada Group

Actor and Gorakhpur MP Shri Ravi Kishan visits Avaada pavilion at REI Expo 2026 to explore rooftop solar solutions, highlighting their potential to lower electricity bills and strengthen energy self-reliance.

Greater Noida, 2026: India can strengthen its energy security and reduce dependence on imported oil and gas by enabling every tehsil to become a power producer, said Shri Vineet Mittal, Chairman, Avaada Group, at the Renewable Energy India Expo (REI Expo) 2026.

Highlighting India's abundant solar and wind resources, Mittal said that combining renewable energy with storage could help deliver reliable, round-the-clock clean power. He emphasised the need to move from a “petro-state” to an “electro-state”, building a more decentralised and self-reliant energy system that is less vulnerable to global fuel supply disruptions.

“If every tehsil becomes a power producer, we can address power shortages, ease pressure on the grid and move closer to genuine energy self-reliance,” Mittal said at the Avaada pavilion.

Recalling a meeting with then Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in 2008, Mittal highlighted how early policy support helped accelerate India's solar journey. He recalled that conventional thermal power was then priced at around ₹3 per unit, while the solar tariff offered in Gujarat was approximately ₹15 per unit. The early policy push, he said, helped create the conditions for technological progress, investment and scale, which have since made solar power one of the most cost-competitive sources of electricity.

India has since made significant progress in expanding its non-fossil fuel-based power capacity, crossing the 300 GW mark. Mittal said the next phase of the transition would require continued investment in renewable generation, storage, transmission and domestic manufacturing to ensure that clean power is not only generated but also reliably delivered when needed.

High-efficiency technology and domestic manufacturing

Mittal also highlighted the role of high-efficiency solar technology in expanding adoption, particularly in rooftop installations where available space can be a constraint. Avaada Electro's 720 Wp solar modules are designed to deliver higher power output from a given installation area, helping households and businesses make better use of available rooftop space.

He also highlighted Avaada's investments in domestic solar manufacturing. Avaada Electro has 8.5 GW of solar module manufacturing capacity and 3 GW of solar cell manufacturing capacity across its facilities in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. The company plans to expand its manufacturing capabilities to 13.6 GW of solar modules and 12 GW of solar cells, alongside a planned 3 GW ingot-wafer facility. These investments are aimed at strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities and supporting India's broader clean-energy ambitions.

Ravi Kishan explores rooftop solar for Gorakhpur office

Actor and Gorakhpur Member of Parliament Shri Ravi Kishan visited the Avaada pavilion at REI Expo 2026 to explore rooftop solar solutions for his office in Gorakhpur. Having already installed solar at his residence, he said he was considering extending adoption to his office, citing the potential to reduce electricity expenses.

“When I met Vineet Ji, I was impressed by his vision for India and his commitment to reaching villages where development is difficult. Wherever the word ‘impossible’ comes up, Avaada stands up and says, ‘Yes, we make it possible.’ I visited the Avaada pavilion at REI Expo 2026 to explore solar solutions for my office in Gorakhpur. These solutions offer an opportunity to reduce electricity costs, and I am considering making this investment,” said Shri Ravi Kishan, actor and Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, representing Gorakhpur.

He added that he would encourage people in his constituency to consider rooftop solar and high-efficiency solar panels to reduce their electricity bills and contribute to India's energy self-reliance.

“This is the future. It will save you money, save the country and reduce our dependence on imports,” Ravi Kishan said, underscoring the economic and national benefits of solar adoption.

He also highlighted the potential for wider solar deployment in Gorakhpur, including a proposed 20 MW floating solar project at Chilua Tal and efforts to encourage solar installations on railway station rooftops. He has raised the issue of expanding solar adoption through representations to the Railway Ministry and discussions in Parliament.

Both Shri Ravi Kishan and Shri Vineet Mittal emphasised the importance of making clean energy more accessible to households, businesses and communities. As India expands its renewable energy capacity, decentralised generation, rooftop solar, storage and domestic manufacturing will be important to building an energy system that is cleaner, more affordable and less exposed to external supply disruptions.