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#IFFIWood, 23 November 2024

The cast and crew of three films, Batto Ka Bulbula, Karken, and Jigarthanda Double X, gathered today for a lively press conference at the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Goa. The filmmakers shared insights into their respective creative journeys, challenges faced during production, and their vision for the future of cinema.

Karken – A Journey of Passion and Redemption

Nending Loder, the Director of Karken, spoke passionately about his film, which delves into the internal conflict of an individual sandwiched between societal expectations and personal desire. “It’s a story of redemption; It’s about the journey to find your inner voice”, Loder said.  Loder expressed gratitude to the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) for their support in producing the film, acknowledging the difficulty of filming in Arunachal Pradesh. “The state offers incredible talent but lacks sufficient platforms for emerging filmmakers. I believe this film will inspire the next generation of filmmakers to follow their dreams and tell their stories”, he added.

Cinematographer Nyago shared his experience of shooting in a confined space with a single character, a challenge he had never faced before. "It was a unique experience that pushed my limits as a cinematographer,” he stated.

Jigarthanda Double X –Cinema has the power to change a Gangster

Karthik Subbaraj, the visionary director behind Jigarthanda Double X, spoke about the film's underlying theme: the power of cinema to instigate societal change. “Cinema is a great weapon to change the society. It has power to change even a gangster,” Subbaraj remarked. He emphasized that the film explores the relationship between humans and animals, with a deeper narrative of connecting the two. Additionally, Subbaraj expressed his desire to blur the lines between mainstream commercial cinema and art cinema. “This film bridges both worlds, combining the entertainment of mainstream cinema with the depth and meaning of art cinema,” he asserted.

Batto Ka Bulbula – A Celebration of Village Life in Haryana

Saksham Yadav, the Editor of Batto Ka Bulbula, discussed the unique challenges faced during post-production, especially due to the film's extended shots. “The major challenge was maintaining the film's inherent charm while managing the length of the shots,” Yadav said.

Aryan Singh, the film's Director of Photography (DOP), further elaborated on the team's commitment to authenticity, explaining that the narrative is deeply rooted in the village life of Haryana. “Our goal was to capture the essence of rural life in a way that felt real, unfiltered, and immersive,” Singh remarked.

About the Fims

1.BATTO KA BULBULA

Colour | 35’ | Hariyanvi | 2024

Synopsis

In a rustic Haryana village, elderly Batto spends his days with estranged friend Sultan, often drinking. Having sold most of his land, Batto plans to sell the last piece to leave the village. Manipulative adopted son Bittu pressures him for the land, sparking emotional turmoil. Sultan persistently seeks the truth, leading to a tense showdown. Ultimately, Batto realizes the strength of true friendship and the importance of resilience amidst betrayal.

Cast and Crew

Director: Akshay Bhardwaj

Producer: Dada Lakhmi Chand State Universi­ty of Performing and Visual Arts (DLC Supva).

Cinematographer: Akshay Bhardwaj

Screenwriter : Rajat Kariya

Editor: Saksham Yadav

Cast: Krishan Natak

Cinematographer: Akshay Bhardwaj

2.KARKEN

Colour | 92 ' | Galo | 2024

Synopsis

A medical officer, once passionate about acting but forced to abandon his dreams, resurfaces to take an audition. This decision could jeopardize his job that supports his family's debt, risk his engagement, and endanger the life of a pregnant woman in labor.

Cast and Crew

Director: Nending Loder

Producer: National Film Development Corporation Ltd.

Cinematographer: Nyago Ete

Editor: Lodam Gongo

Screenwriter: Nending Loder

Cast: Nending Loder

3.JIGARTHANDA DOUBLE X

Colour | 172 ' | Tamil | 2023

Synopsis

Jigarthanda Double X is a Tamil action thriller and spiritual prequel to the 2014 film Jigarthanda, directed by Karthik Subbaraj. The plot follows aspiring police officer Kirubai Aroiayaraj, who is forced to do an unlawful act to secure his job. Disguising himself as a film director, he infiltrates the den of gangster Allius Caesar. After many assassination attempts, Kirubai devises a plan to pit Caesar against the notorious outlaw Shettani. In the process, Caesar experiences a change of heart and aids the people by defeating Shettani. The plot thickens as the head of state is revealed to be involved in a scam. Caesar makes the ultimate sacrifice, and Kirubai completes his film, exposing the truth. As a gripping narrative, the film explores ambition, morality, and survival, blending sharp storytelling with high-octane action, making it a compelling continuation of the original film's legacy.

Cast and Crew

Director: Karthik Subbaraj

Producer: Stone Bench Pvt. Ltd.

Cinamatographer: S Thirunavukkarasu

Editor: Shafique Mohamed Ali

Screenwriter: Karthik Subbaraj

Cast: Raghava Lawrence, Ganesh, S. J. Suryah, Nimisha Sajayan, Ilavarasu, Naveen Chandra, Sathyan, Sanchana Natarajan, Shine Tom Chacko, Aravind Akash

Watch the Press Conference here:

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PIB IFFI CAST AND CREW | Rajith/Rini/Swadhin/Darshana | IFFI 55 - 59