Lalit Rao

Lalit Rao

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Mr. Lalit Rao is a bilingual Indian film critic, UGC-NET qualified, experienced French teacher, translator, interpreter and festival programmer based in Jaipur, India. He is widely recognized for his contributions to the promotion of world cinema in India and Indian cinema abroad. Writing articles, film reviews and film festival reports in English, French, and Hindi, he has published in prestigious publications such as Deep Focus, Sancho Does Asia, Objectif-Cinéma and Séquences. He also serves as the associate editor of Cinematography Art magazine, a quarterly magazine dedicated to Cinematographers in India. 
 
As an active member of FIPRESCI (International Federation of Film Critics), Mr. Lalit Rao has served on juries at numerous international film festivals. In India, he has been a jury member at the International Film Festival of Kerala (2014) and the Bengaluru International Film Festival (2017). Internationally, his jury experience includes participation at festivals in Siena (Italy), as well as other global events, underlining his reputation as a critic with a deep knowledge of international cinema.
 
Lalit Rao’s recent engagements demonstrate his continuing relevance in the world of film festivals. In 2024, he has been a preview committee member of Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF 2024), contributing to the selection of Indian documentary films. In 2025, he served as a jury member at the 7th Bioscope Global Film Festival 2025, organized in collaboration with the National Law University of Odisha (NLUO).
 
Beyond jury work, Mr. Lalit Rao is also a passionate film historian. He has built a film database titled KINEMA, covering more than 25,000 films for world cinema enthusiasts, and has reviewed over 1,000 films on IMDb. His YouTube channels Cinema-poet and Indian Talkies 1913 further reflect his dedication to disseminating cinema culture.
With his unique ability to bridge Indian and global cinéphile communities, Lalit Rao continues to be one of India’s most internationally engaged film critics.
 
Chronological highlights of Film critic Mr.Lalit Rao's career as a film critic  
 
Early 2000s
2004 (Feb 27–29): Presented a paper “A brief overview of Francophone cinema in Québec” at the 20th International Conference on Canadian Studies, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur.
2005–06: Paris correspondent for Deep Focus and Bangalore Film Society; studied Master 2 Cinema Studies at Université de Paris 3 Sorbonne Nouvelle with ''Distribution of Indian cinema in France'' as research topic.
 
Late 2000s
2008- 2012 : Attended International Film Festival of Kerala as a film critic and documented the festival consistently through blog posts, film reviews and video interviews.
2010s
2014: FIPRESCI jury member at the 19th IFFK (Malayalam cinema category).
2008-2015 : Launched YouTube channels Cinema-poet (2008) and Indian Talkies 1913 (2013).
2016: Completed 1,000 IMDb reviews on world cinema films.
2017: Served as jury member (Kannada Cinema) at the 9th Bengaluru International Film Festival 2017 (BIFFES).
 
2020s
2021- 2022 : Advisory board member (World Cinema) at the Rajasthan International Film Festival (RIFF).
2022 : Jury member of 5th Bulli ed Eroi International Children's Film Festival, Siena, Italy
2024: Preview Committee Member at the 18th Mumbai International Film Festival 2024 (MIFF 2024). Published report on MIFF 2024 in Filmfestivals.com.
2025: Served as Jury Member at the 7th Bioscope Global Film Festival 2025, organized in collaboration with the National Law University of Odisha (NLUO). He has published reviews, interviews, and festival reports on Filmfestivals.com.
 
(fipresci.cinemapoet@gmail.com)

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Lalit Rao's Blogs

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NFDC (1975-2025) : Celebration of 50 years of innumerable stories © by film critic Lalit Rao (FIPRESCI)
Nov 28, 2025 at 07:01 AM

NFDC (1975-2025) : Celebration of  50 years of innumerable stories that shaped the destiny of meaningful cinema in India © by film critic Lalit Rao (FIPRESCI)    The National Film Development...

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‘‘The King on the Border’’ is a quiet plea for unity beyond nations © by film critic Lalit Rao (FIPRESCI) dated 31.08.2025
Nov 28, 2025 at 07:01 AM

Indian documentary film ‘‘The King on the Border’’ [2025] is a quiet plea for unity beyond nations © by film critic Lalit Rao (FIPRESCI) dated 28.08.2025    Borders, in the modern...

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Guru Dutt’s classic film ‘‘Pyaasa’’ (1957) remains a timeless gem of Indian Cinema © film critic Lalit Rao (FIPRESCI) 09.08.2025
Nov 28, 2025 at 07:01 AM

Guru Dutt’s classic film ‘‘Pyaasa’’ (1957) remains a timeless gem of Indian Cinema © film critic Lalit Rao (FIPRESCI) dated 09.08.2025      In 1957, Indian cinema saw the emergence...

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Ajit Rai (1967-2025) The critic who bridged worlds between theater, cinema, literature and society by © film critic Lalit Rao.
Nov 28, 2025 at 07:01 AM

Ajit Rai (1967-2025) The critic who bridged worlds between theater, cinema, literature and society by © film critic Lalit Rao (FIPRESCI) dated 10.08.2025     On 23 July 2025, the...

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Muzaffar Ali’s brilliant film ‘‘Umrao Jaan’’ (1981) is a timeless, cinematic masterpiece © film critic Mr. Lalit Rao (FIPRESCI)
Nov 28, 2025 at 07:01 AM

Indian director Muzaffar Ali’s brilliant film ‘‘Umrao Jaan’’ (1981) is a timeless, cinematic masterpiece that has been restored by NFAI for the entire world to see and appreciate © film critic Mr....

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7th Edition of Bioscope Global Film Festival 2025 – A Grand Celebration of Independent Cinema by film critic Mr. Lalit Rao
Nov 28, 2025 at 07:01 AM

Report : 7th Edition of Bioscope Global Film Festival 2025 – A Grand Celebration of Independent Cinema by © film critic Lalit Rao (FIPRESCI) dated 29.07.2025    The 7th edition of the...

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Review of the Russian film ''Twenty-Six Days in the Life of Dostoyevsky'' © Film critic Mr. Lalit Rao [FIPRESCI] 19.06.2025
Jul 25, 2025 at 02:19 PM

Review of the Russian film “Twenty-Six Days in the Life of Dostoyevsky –The  vivid portrait of a tortured genius in crisis © Film critic Mr. Lalit Rao [FIPRESCI]...

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Finnish film SISU is a visually stunning,action-packed Finnish blockbuster that sets new benchmark for European action cinema !!
Feb 16, 2025 at 07:04 PM

Review of the Finnish Film ‘‘SISU’’ (2022) directed by Jalmari Helander © film critic Lalit Rao (FIPRESCI) dated 16.02.2025      Finnish cinema has long been synonymous with the...

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Bijaya Jena's short film ‘‘Winter Interlude’’ is a cinematic gem that seamlessly blends personal grief with global narratives.
Jan 18, 2025 at 06:03 AM

Short film ‘‘Winter Interlude’’ (2023), directed by the talented Indian cinéaste Bijaya Jena, is a cinematic gem that seamlessly blends personal grief with global narratives of displacement,...

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An overview of 15 important cinema related programs to be organized during 55th IFFI 2024 by film critic Lalit Rao.
Nov 14, 2024 at 04:12 AM

An overview of  15 important cinema related programs (In conversation, Masterclasses and Panel discussions) to be organized during 55th International Film Festival of India IFFI Goa 2024 by film...