“Full Plate” Wins Hearts at Dharamshala International Film Festival; Adil Hussain Pays Tribute to Irrfan Khan in Acting Masterclass
The emotional India premiere of Full Plate, directed by Tannishtha Chatterjee and starring Kirti Kulhari, received a standing ovation on the third day of the ongoing Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF). The 500-seat auditorium erupted in applause as the credits rolled, with the audience deeply moved by the film’s powerful storytelling and performances.
Arvind Sharma
Nov 1, 2025 10:59
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Dharamshala, November 1, 2025: The emotional India premiere of Full Plate, directed by Tannishtha Chatterjee and starring Kirti Kulhari, received a standing ovation on the third day of the ongoing Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF). The 500-seat auditorium erupted in applause as the credits rolled, with the audience deeply moved by the film’s powerful storytelling and performances.
Full Plate tells the story of a housewife who challenges patriarchal norms and rediscovers her identity through her passion for cooking. The film’s nuanced portrayal of female strength and individuality struck a chord with viewers, making it one of the festival’s most memorable screenings.
Earlier in the day, acclaimed actor Adil Hussain conducted an acting masterclass that captivated aspiring artists and film enthusiasts alike. Reflecting on his decades-long journey in Indian, independent, and international cinema, Hussain emphasized truth and authenticity in performance.
“It’s a very different experience to be your true self in front of thousands of people, in front of a camera,” he said. “Who are you—not who you are in front of your parents, friends, or lovers, but who you are when you’re alone, when no one is watching. If you act from that place of honesty, it will always be real.”
In an emotional moment, Hussain fondly remembered the late Irrfan Khan, calling him “the one actor who always tried to be as vulnerable and transparent as possible.” He highlighted Khan’s unforgettable performances in Qissa, The Namesake, and Warrior.
Later, Hussain’s own film Secret of a Mountain Serpent, directed by Nidhi Saxena, was screened to an enthusiastic audience response. Owing to popular demand, the festival organizers announced an additional screening.
The third day of DIFF also featured a diverse lineup of acclaimed films, including Kunsang Kyirong’s Canadian mystery drama 100 Sunsets, Lesbian Space Princess (in collaboration with the Sydney Film Festival), Rich Peppiatt’s comedy-drama Kneecap, Carla Simón’s Romeria, Bharat Singh Parihar’s Sheep Barn, and Arjun Talwar’s Letter from Wolf Street.
The 14th edition of the Dharamshala International Film Festival will conclude on November 2 with the screening of filmmaker Anuparna Roy’s Venice-winning Songs of Forgotten Trees and a special closing-day masterclass by director Kiran Rao.
