Blindness to Laughter: Actor's Inspiring Journey

Actor Manoj Joshi, a Padma Shri recipient, inaugurated the 12th International Film Festival Shimla on Friday, sharing his remarkable journey of overcoming a stroke that led to vision loss. He spoke candidly about life, cinema, and artificial intelligence at the historic Gaiety Theatre.

Joshi explained that an artist's profound understanding of pain is essential for mastering comedy, emphasizing that humor is omnipresent in daily life. He recalled a challenging period during the shooting of 'Devdas' when a stroke left him bedridden and without sight for over a year and a half, underscoring his resilience in returning to acting.

He urged aspiring filmmakers and artists to maintain focus on their goals, regardless of adversity. Joshi also praised the festival for showcasing short films addressing significant global issues and noted the growing interest of OTT platforms in unconventional content. He believes AI will transform filmmaking but will not replace human emotions or thought processes for generations to come.

The three-day festival, co-directed by Dev Kanya Thakur, features films from 33 countries and 15 Indian states. Actor Sharib Hashmi also participated in a session, sharing his industry experiences. Joshi administered an anti-drug pledge to students, stressing collective responsibility for a drug-free society.