Filmmakers Roundtable 2024 | Anupama Chopra | The Hollywood Reporter India

In this insightful roundtable discussion, six accomplished Indian filmmakers - Imtiaz Ali, C. Prem Kumar, Kiran Rao, Christo Tomy, Venky Atluri, and Rajkumar Periasamy - engage in a candid conversation about their creative journeys and the art of filmmaking. From the intensely personal process of writing to managing the complexities of a film set, these directors share fascinating perspectives on their craft. Through conversations about extracting authentic performances, dealing with box office pressures, and their unique relationships with producers, these filmmakers offer an honest glimpse into the evolving landscape of Indian cinema, while emphasizing the importance of staying true to one's creative vision despite commercial pressures. 00:00 Introduction 02:03 Welcoming directors 02:20 Imtiaz Ali’s 20-year milestone & “Chamkila” 05:55 Extracting performances 14:50 Test screenings & editing to find the rhythm 17:09 C. Prem Kumar on cutting 18 minutes of Meiyazhagan 26:20 On-set challenges for Christo Tomy 30:53 Imtiaz Ali's challenges on a set 33:33 Venky Atluri on being meditative on a set 35:18 Is Kiran Rao calm on set? 37:43 Rajkumar Periasamy on shooting action sequences 40:00 C. Prem Kumar's rules on set 43:25 "Adding the cheese" to the films 49:59 Writing processes & styles 58:34 Producers, budgets & reality checks 01:06:36 Box office vs. creative integrity 01:16:00 Upcoming projects 01:22:33 Closing remarks #DirectorsRoundtable #IndianCinema #THRIndia