Master Class

A Sreekar Prasad - The Invisible Art of Film Editing

It is said, that an editor, is the second director. When the film comes on the edit table, the magic starts unfolding. One such magician is editor extraordinaire, A. Sreekar Prasad.
His name is synonymous with multiple commercial, and critical hits of Indian cinema, across multiple languages. He has won numerous awards, including 8 National Awards, 7 State Awards, 2 International Awards – for films Firaaq (2008), and With You Without You (2012) and 3 Filmfare awards - for Dil Chahta Hai (2001), Firaaq (2008), and Talvar (2015). His name and work has been appreciated by Limca Books of World Records, as an editor with films edited in most languages-17 Languages!
Through his workshop he shall be sharing secrets of the magic of movie editing, the techniques, and the exposition of it. He aims to explain the journey, with a plethora of example from his personal experiences, and what the future holds.

Chaitanya Tamhane - Lessons I have learnt so far

Chaitanya Tamhane is regarded as one of the most promising filmmakers in the world right now. His debut feature, Court, premiered at the Venice FF in 2014, and was awarded the Best Film - Orizzonti and the Lion of the Future award. Court won the National Award for Best Feature Film. His second film, The Disciple, was awarded the Golden Osella for Best Screenplay and the FIPRESCI award at Venice FF.
Tamhane has been featured in the Forbes "30 Under 30 Asia". He was invited to serve on the jury at the 73rd Venice FF. In the same year, he was selected to be mentored by Alfonso Cuarón as part of the Rolex Mentor-Protégé Arts Initiative.
Chaitanya will be sharing his experiences as a writer-director, and his process of coming with stories that delve into complexities of social structures, while keeping an individual perspective at the centre through his session - Lessons I have learnt so far.

Shaji Karun - Thinking Images

Few filmmakers across the globe can proudly be given the tag of an 'auteur'. Shaji N. Karun, a veteran filmmaker, deserves such a title. A cinematographer- director par excellence, he is one of the finest filmmakers in India.

His debut film Piravi (1988) won the Caméra d'Or - Mention d'honneur at the 1989 Cannes FF. He is one of those rare India filmmakers to have competed in Cannes, twice, including at the main competition. His film Swaham (1994) was in the main competition. Apart from that, he has been a regular at prestigious festivals like BFI London, Locarno, Chicago, IFF India and, many more.
As a cinematographer, someone who creates beautiful and meaningful imagery, and as a director, who creates a larger composition out of it, no better person than Shaji N. Karun to unravel the mystery of moving images. He will be sharing his wisdom, and tradecraft about - Thinking Images.

Masterclass on Mainstream Cinema today & publishing the book:

Raj Kapoor - The Master At Work

Raj Kapoor - a master filmmaker, whose legacy stands tall in Indian cinema. His work will be studied, celebrated as long as Indian cinema lives! Who better than a veteran director himself - Rahul Rawail, to take us down the memory lane and talk more about the legend that was Raj Kapoor.

Rahul Rawail is a true insider man in Raj Kapoor's cinematic journey as he worked as an assistant to Mr. Kapoor on multiple films. Admittedly, the work ethic and the, genius of Mr. Kapoor, is something to be learned from.
Rawail himself, as a director proved this in his multiple successful, game changing films like - Love Story (1981), Betaab (1983), Arjun (1985), Anjaam (1994), and Arjun Pandit (1999). 21st Pune International Film Festival is proud to host Mr. Rawail on the occasion of publication of Marathi edition of his bestselling book - Raj Kapoor: The Master at Work. The book is as told to Pranika Sharma and, translated in Marathi by Milind Champanerkar, published by Rohan Publication.

Johnny Lever - Humor in Cinema

John Prakash Rao, better known to the world and all the fans as Johnny Lever! An exceptional comedian, well-versed in variety of forms of comedy. Throughout his career, he has carved a niche for himself through his expressive style of acting - may it be slapstick, verbal, situational, and witty comedy.

In 1984, Johnny made his first Bollywood debut with the movie titled Dard Ka Rishta. He is considered an influential Indian comedian who has been cited as an inspiration by many other comics. He has received 13 Filmfare Awards nominations in the Best Comedian Category and has won twice - for Deewana Mastana, and Dulhe Raja. Johnny proved that a comedian in film is not a sidepiece, but a supporting actor to the bigger narrative.
Where does this sense of comedy come from? How can one use 'humour', not just any comedy, in cinema? What is the meaning, the place of it? How has it changed? Johnny Lever answers all these pertinent questions about Humour in Cinema with his special session.

Dr. Lakshmi Lingam Aruna Raje - Making Films & Watching Films: Gender in Hindi Cinema

"Lights, Camera, and Time for Action: Recasting Gender Equality Compliant Hindi Cinema", a research study is being conducted by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences - School of Cultural and Media Studies through a grant from the US Consulate in Mumbai.

Their special session at 21st PIFF will cover the topic of "Making Films & Watching Films: Gender in Hindi Cinema"
This will cover the following topics:

Calling the Shots: Women Directing Hindi cinema
Scripting Change: Women Screenwriters in contemporary Hindi Cinema and
Talking Back: creative and critical audience responses to skewed gender representation in Hindi cinema

The research has covered high revenue grossing Hindi films, as well as films made by women or with a focus on women. The project includes key stakeholders, leaders and influencers of the film industry, filmmakers, journalists, critics, audiences, gender specialists, academics and film researchers. Discussing more about this vital aspect are, project lead on research Dr. Lakshmi Lingam, and multiple National Film Award winning director, Aruna Raje.

Vidya Balan - Challenges of Female Actors in the Entertainment World

She embodies grace, with a wide enchanting smile on her face. Vidya Balan is one of the well regarded and, immensely talented actor, working in Indian film industry. Multiple award winner, Vidya has captured the attention of every audience with her remarkable acting prowess with diverse characters in films like - Parineeta, The Dirty Picture, Ishqiya, Paa, Kahani, Shakuntala Devi, and many more.

As a female actor, stakes change in a monumental way. How does this male dominated industry treat a woman who is breaking the glass ceiling? Does the prevalent patriarchy play an important role? What are the challenges of female actors in the entertainment world? Vidya Balan offers her unique insight in all these questions.

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