Neeraj Ghaywan, Director of 'Masaan', Attributes South Cinema's Success to Authenticity

Synopsis

At the 7th Indian Screenwriters Conference, director Neeraj Ghaywan emphasized the success of South Indian cinema due to its authentic storytelling. He highlighted the challenges faced by independent filmmakers in India regarding funding and maintaining artistic integrity within studio constraints.

Key Takeaways

Authenticity is key to South Indian cinema's success.
The lack of independent funding in India hinders indie film growth.
Maintaining artistic integrity within studio constraints is challenging.
South films prioritize real experiences over sanitized characters.
Independent cinema faces significant challenges in the current landscape.

Mumbai, Feb 16 (NationPress) Filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan recently addressed the 7th edition of the Indian Screenwriters Conference (ISC), organized by the Screenwriters Association of India (SWA).

The acclaimed director of 'Masaan' expressed that South Indian cinema continues to excel due to its emphasis on authentic, lived experiences rather than superficial characters.

He remarked, "The southern film industries flourish because they present genuine realities; their characters are authentic and relatable. In Bollywood, characters are often sanitized for specific audiences, leading to a loss of authenticity. Making films appealing to a particular demographic can sometimes compromise the essence of what is real."

During the session titled 'Alternative Reality', moderated by Anu Singh Choudhary, writer of 'Mrs' and 'Aarya', Ghaywan also highlighted the scarcity of independent funding for films in India, a stark contrast to Europe, which hampers the growth of indie cinema.

He elaborated, "The challenge lies in creating the film you envision while adhering to studio requirements. Financial recovery often hinges on music or casting specific actors, necessitating a struggle to maintain your artistic vision."

Joining Ghaywan in the panel discussion were filmmakers Shoojit Sircar, Megha Ramaswamy, and Kanu Behl.

Kanu Behl, known for films like 'Titli' and 'Agra', commented, "Independent cinema is facing extinction. There's a void where you cannot ascertain if your project will ever see the light of day."

The 7th edition of the Indian Screenwriters Conference showcased prominent screenwriters and creators, including Shoojit Sarkar, C Prem Kumar, Christo Tomy, Hemanth M Rao, Vivek Athreya, Biswapati Sarkar, and Anand Tiwari, who gathered to share insights, techniques, and the secrets behind their successful projects, navigating the evolving dynamics of the industry and its ‘New Reality’.