Plot twist: India's indie film circuit has been doing cool things long before this year's Oscar outing.
Young filmmakers have been taking more chances than before, reaching across borders to collaborate, taking advantage of workshops abroad to hone their craft, falling gleefully down rabbit holes to tell unusual stories.
This is fantastic news for viewers. Funding from an international organisation means that a film that would have never been made, now has a fighting chance. An international premiere can boost viewership. So, in cinemas, multiplexes and on streaming networks, a new side of India is being presented to the world, perhaps for the first time.
Is the industry truly blossoming or are the films merely repackaging old stereotypes in a new format? Most filmmakers acknowledge that, for global audiences, it makes sense to weave in explanatory narration, establishing shots, and familiar detail.
Ultimately, though, it's the story itself that determine its success. A film can be set in India, funded from the UK, produced by a crew from India, Norway and France and premiere in Hong Kong.
None of it will matter if it doesn't connect with those watching.
The new opportunities are no guarantee of success, say filmmakers. What it means is a lot more doors to knock on. See how it's all shaping up.
Faraway success Prasun Chatterjee
ALONG WITH BEING LOCAL, THERE HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF UNIVERSAL CONNECTION WITH THE FILM
Prasun Chatterjee's debut feature film Dostojee (Bengali, 2021) tells the tale of two young boys whose friendship takes on a changed dynamic in the wake of the destruction of the Babri Masjid. It won Best Film at the UK Asian Film Festival and Best Film at the Sharjah International Film Festival. It's had releases in the US, UAE and Australia.
This story is from the June 03, 2023 edition of Brunch.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 03, 2023 edition of Brunch.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Photos or pulp fictions?
Gauri Gill's portraits showcase ordinary folks, doing ordinary things, but wearing extraordinary masks. See why the quirky series offers more than what meets the eye
Hear it from a reliable sauce
Kikkoman launched a dark soya sauce for the Indian market after realising that Indians expect Chinese and pan-Asian dishes to have a rich, dark colour. It mimics the taste profile of the flagship Kikkoman soya but has a different colour.
He says, she says
Best friends, partners and actors Shweta Tripathi Sharma and Chaitnya Sharma answered the same questions in their first joint interview. The results: Couple goals
Against the machine
AI is already behind little tunes we hear every day. Could it create the next hit? Composers and engineers listen in
YOLO, so why go solo?
Films and shows are overrun with lone wolves. One fighter against all odds. One hero doing it all. Bea team player, maybe?
Get your vision tested here
Vision boards are great tools for those dreaming of anew job ora killer body. Don't just tack pics on toa wall. Here's how to doit right
Are You Of Week Mind?
You can't speed up fitness. Skincare is a slow process. Even learning a skill can take a year. Try unhacking for a change
A case of myth direction
Nutritional data is changing all the time. So, advice often seems contradictory and sketchy. Is breakfast essential? Is red meat evil? What's wrong with soy? Here's where science stands on the big questions
No kids on the block
Being childfree can be just as rewarding as having a big family. Those who've made the choice say there's no guilt, no regret. There are, however, bold new challenges. Take a look
Shes making her point
She calls herself Dot. She's anything but insignificant. Meet Aditi Saigal, viral at 18, actor by accident, musician for life, determined to try it all
