Rupsha Chatterjee from Kolkata wins the first edition of `Search for Stars` while Bharat Chandra Basistha (Sikkim) & Rajan Vyas (Gujarat) become first and second runner up respectively in the nationwide contest

The Grand Finale for David & Goliath Films presents 'Search for Stars'® - an initiative of the Film Federation of India, was held in a live stream comprising of young aspiring actors from across the Nation.

Search for Stars® was an effort by FFI to reach out, seek and identify untapped talent and catalyse its gainful employment within the industry by creating a platform present it to potential employers within the Indian Industry. It has become an iconic activity which is an asset for the Indian film industry, to discover new talent to enrich the Industry; and consequently enhance the talent's potential through effective skilling measures.

`Well 'Search for Stars' aimed to reinvigorate the whole system! Digital medium is not just the future; it is very much the present and it is here to stay! What we have seen through the phases of this unique platform is the sheer passion in these aspiring actors which is remarkable. I am glad our avenue was able to reach out to untapped talents from every corner of India. Congratulations to the winners. ` remarked Mr. Firdausul Hasan, President of Film Federation of India.

The panel of five judges entrusted with the selection of the winner and runner-ups from the finalists were: Mr. Rahul Rawail (Director), Mr. Lal Bhatia (Filmmaker), Ms. Sushma Siromoni (Actor), Ms. Tanusree Chakraborty (Actor) and Mr. Arijit Dutta (Actor).

A comprehensive and rigorous internal selection process was adopted and 12 finalists were selected from the multitude of entries, namely: Nilanjan Ghosh, Geeta Devi Sharma, Bharat Chandra Basistha, Rewati Lepcha, Shashi Kala Pradhan, Rupsha Chatterjee, Aakansha Singh, Shivenn Sharma, Rajan Bharatkumar Vyas, Barsha Chettri, Anisha Prashan, and Trishala Tamang.

From among the contestants, it was decided in a simple majority by the Judges that Rupsha Chatterjee from Kolkata was the winner while Bharat Chandra Basistha from Sikkim and Rajan Vyas from Gujarat were the first and second runners up respectively.

Earlier, Film Federation of India has enabled the choice of language for participants to 13 languages viz. Hindi, Gujarati, Marathi, Punjabi, Bhojpuri, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telegu, Bengali, Odiya, Assamese & Nepali.

`Search for Stars welcomed any contestant to act in their preferred language right from their audition stage; this way we got to groom them up and in the process we reached out to a diverse range of untapped talent from all over the country, who can make a difference on the silver screen for years to come. We hope in future editions we can take this forward from strength to strength.` Mr. Hasan added.

Search for Stars® has truly ushered a digital revolution in the realm of acting talents across Indian Cinema.

Film Federation of India is the pan-India body of associations representing the entire value chain of the business of Indian Cinema from creation to exhibition: film producers, distributors, exhibitors, studios and others.

Internationally, Film Federation of India has been entrusted by the Academy to recommend India's entry for the Foreign Language Oscar. In India, Film Federation of India promotes activities that stimulate the industry's growth as well as contribute to the nation's economy.

Search for Stars® is an effort by Film Federation of India to reach out, seek and identify untapped talent and catalyse its gainful employment within the industry by creating a platform present it to potential employers within the Indian Industry... all within the gambit of SKILLINDIA.