In a significant cinematic development, Director Sumanth Bhat’s debut Kannada indie feature, “Mithya,” captivated a packed audience at the ongoing Bengaluru International Film Festival. The film delves into the profound themes of grief and abandonment experienced by children and has garnered nominations and awards at multiple international film festivals.
During an engaging interaction, Director Sumanth Bhat pondered the role and responsibility of filmmakers, challenging the notion of an inherent social commitment in their artistic endeavors. Bhat expressed skepticism about the idea that filmmakers must convey specific social messages through their work, asserting that people possess the intelligence to interpret films on their own. He argued that the transformative power of films to bring about lasting change is unrealistic, emphasizing that the impact is often fleeting.
Bhat contended that every film is inherently political, not in terms of party politics, but as a statement about society. He emphasized the importance of filmmakers being clear about the underlying message of their films and staying true to their artistic vision.
The director shed light on the challenging aspect of working with children, particularly in a film that explores the profound loss experienced by a child after the death of their parents. Despite the difficulty of the subject matter, Bhat found the experience rewarding, highlighting the unique magic that children bring to a film, often elevating scenes beyond the written script.
“Mithya” continues to make waves on the global film circuit, offering audiences a poignant exploration of complex emotions and societal reflections through the lens of a child’s perspective.
