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3 weeks ago | 
frontline.thehindu.com | Divya Gandhi |Vaishna Roy |C.S. Venkiteswaran
The controversies surrounding the film L2: Empuraan have been raging for the past few weeks, polarising film lovers, Mohanlal fans, and political parties. Unlike the many “hurt sentiment” dramas triggered by films in recent times, where filmmakers were forced to remove scenes or dialogues, here we find the filmmakers themselves coming forward to cut the “controversial” scenes and re-censor the film.
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1 month ago | 
frontline.thehindu.com | Sharada Srinivasan |Vaishna Roy |C.S. Venkiteswaran
This was the second edition of the festival. But the context in which it was held was totally different from that of the first edition in 2022. Manipur is going through difficult times. Organising, even thinking of, a film festival at such a time must have been tough. How did it happen? We are actually one year late because the unrest was weighing upon us.
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1 month ago | 
frontline.thehindu.com | Sharada Srinivasan |Vaishna Roy |C.S. Venkiteswaran
An international film festival in Manipur in these troubled, violent times? Most people might ask if that is possible at all, for the reports emerging from the State portray a place rife with conflict and suffering, tears and bloodshed. While the violence may have subsided, the political turmoil continues. On the concluding day of the festival, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh was forced to resign. A fortnight later, President’s Rule was imposed.
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Dec 28, 2024 | 
frontline.thehindu.com | Vaishna Roy |C.S. Venkiteswaran
How does one describe M.T. Vasudevan Nair? Respectfully called “MT”, he was primarily a writer who was widely admired across generations, and his works have remained bestsellers for more than half a century. In the industry and among cineastes, he commanded the respect of both serious auteurs and commercial filmmakers. As an editor, he was known for his keen sense of changing literary trends, identifying and publishing many young writers.
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Nov 7, 2024 | 
indianexpress.com | C.S. Venkiteswaran
Udhayanidhi Stalin’s acerbic comment about Bollywood overshadowing other language cinemas in the North extends the age-old argument about linguistic autonomy and cultural identity to the visual arena. In recent times, South Indian films have gained immense visibility and popularity, especially since the advent of OTT platforms.
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Sep 2, 2024 | 
frontline.thehindu.com | C.S. Venkiteswaran |C.P. Chandrasekhar |Vaishna Roy
This show of your graphic prints from the late 1950s to the present is marked by remarkable shifts in technique. What are the basic ideas and concerns that link them? Each print has its own story. They also relate to the context and the period in which they were created. The events of the last 60 to 70 years have shaped them. In 1970, a printmaking workshop was organised by the Smithsonian Institution in Delhi, where 100 artists were invited to make prints; it was a watershed moment.
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Sep 2, 2024 | 
frontline.thehindu.com | C.S. Venkiteswaran |Bantirani Patro |Bashir Ali Abbas |Sukhada Tatke
Gallery Sumukha, at Wilson Garden, Bengaluru, is currently hosting a retrospective of prints by the artist Gulammohammed Sheikh. While the first part, titled “Gulammohammed Sheikh: Graphic Prints”, ended on July 27 (from June 29), the second part, titled “Mind Prints: Digital Works”, is on until September 14 (from August 17). The exhibition is curated by the artist Pushpamala N.
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Aug 20, 2024 | 
rb.gy | C.S. Venkiteswaran
"Malayalam Cinema is governed by a set of powerful men who exploit women," states the Hema Committee report, revealing that women, including young girls, face sexual harassment and exploitation, with those resisting being denied opportunities. Released on August 19 after prolonged advocacy by women both within and outside the industry, the report confirms the ongoing issue of women being viewed solely as sexual objects and highlights the unsafe, underpaid working conditions.
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Nov 1, 2023 | 
frontline.thehindu.com | C.S. Venkiteswaran |Tariq Ali |Vaishna Roy
Recently, the Kerala High Court issued a directive to the authorities to prevent online reviews of films by social media influencers, YouTube reviewers, and bloggers for seven days following the release of the film. The plea was primarily made by Mubeen Rauf, director of Aromalinte Adyathe Pranayam, and was supported by the Producers’ Association.
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Jun 2, 2023 | 
frontline.thehindu.com | C.S. Venkiteswaran |Vikhar Ahmed Sayeed |Vaishna Roy
Film Heritage Foundation has restored some of the classics of Indian cinema, especially films from the margins. What prompted you to select Ishanoufor restoration? I saw Ishanou in 2021 in Imphal, when I was there at the invitation of the State government, which wanted my help to set up a film archive. I was excited as they were screening a 35 mm print of Ishanou which has become a rarity these days. I also met the director, Aribam Syam Sharma, a doyen of Manipuri cinema and a Renaissance man.
