The recently concluded PK Rosy Film Festival, supported by filmmaker Pa Ranjith, facilitated in-depth discussions on contemporary cinema, with a focus on how it addresses politics, caste, and other social issues. Notable panellists included Halitha Shameem (Sillu Karupatti, Aelay), Jeo Baby (The Great Indian Kitchen, Kaathal The Core), PS Mithran (Irumbu Thirai, Sardar, Hero), Dharani Rasendran (Yaathisai), S Jayakumar (Blue Star), and Dr Biju (Adrishya Jalakanga), alongside Pa Ranjith.
Jeo Baby revealed that The Great Indian Kitchen (TGIK) faced rejection from all major television channels and OTT platforms. The film’s fate changed when a new OTT platform came forward to support it. He noted that a significant portion of those who initially rejected the film were men. However, the narrative shifted when the film gained traction among audiences, predominantly women.
Pa Ranjith emphasized the importance of mastering the craft of filmmaking to effectively convey one’s perspective on the world. He critiqued the quality of some current films, stating that they lack the necessary craft elements.
PS Mithran shared how cinema has been instrumental in shaping his political understanding. He cited the film Pariyerum Perumal as an eye-opener to the prevalent caste issues in villages, which he had been oblivious to until then. Mithran expressed appreciation for contemporary cinema’s boldness in addressing political issues.
Halitha Shameem expressed her satisfaction with the rising number of political films in Tamil cinema. However, she raised concerns about filmmakers capitalizing on the trend without genuine intent.
Dr Biju highlighted the significance of Dalit films being produced within the mainstream Tamil cinema, noting that they are gaining widespread attention. He praised Pa Ranjith for incorporating Dalit politics into his films and pointed out the continued underrepresentation of actors from backward communities or with darker complexions in mainstream cinema.
