The Jio MAMI 21st Mumbai Film Festival held its opening ceremony at one of Mumbai's oldest and largest indoor theatres, the Bal Gandharva Rangmandir. The ceremony marked the beginning of the 21st edition of one of the most beloved cinematic events in the city. Deepika Padukone took the stage for the very first time to deliver the keynote address as Festival Chairperson. Board of Trustees, MAMI, and Director, Reliance Jio and Reliance Retail Isha Ambani welcomed the audience while also announcing new initiatives.

The glitzy affair hosted by the elegant and lucid actor and author Soha Ali Khan saw celebrated names from the Indian film industry including Kiran Rao, Vishal Bhardwaj, Rohan Sippy, Karan Johar, Vikramaditya Motwane, Anupama Chopra, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Taapsee Pannu, Kalki Koechlin, Nivin Pauly, Kabir Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma, Tillotama Shome, Genelia Deshmukh, Vinay Pathak, Vijay Verma, Geetu Mohandas and Nivin Pauly in attendance amongst others.