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Features

Is filmmaker Pa. Ranjith an anti-Periyarist?

Sree Govind Bharatvaraj In the recent past, the popular filmmaker Ranjith has been overtly criticized as an anti-Periyarist and a Hindutva supporter by Dravidian intellectuals and Periyarists. Starting from senior intellectuals like Suba Veerapandian to young Periyarists, this criticism is framed around Ranjith. But how far this argument is true is a serious one that …

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On Ava DuVernay’s ‘Origin’

Chanchal Kumar Origin the film released in India some time back. After watching the much anticipated movie (twice) here are some of my haphazard jottings and observations. Introduction To begin with, I’m sure Origin will renew discussions amongst movie-goers and audiences around the theme of caste and how it connects the dots of oppression around …

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Chamkila Movie: Caste Erasure and Caste Consciousness

Dr. Abhijit Khandkar I saw the movie Chamkila. A few thoughts that have been on my mind since. First of all, it’s a good thing that the makers chose to tackle such an intriguing yet difficult character and subject, set in a place as complicated as Punjab with all its complex socio-political history and landscape. …

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Natchathiram Nagargiradhu: How love is a political choice

Hritika Mohite Natchathiram Nagargiradhu is a 2022 Tamil movie directed by Pa. Ranjith. The movie encompasses the themes of caste, gender and sexuality and blends into the larger theme of ‘Love’. It is set in Pondicherry, when a motley theatre group comes together to put forth their views on love while discussing the subject of …

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Oscars and Epistemic violence on the Indigenous tribes of India

Dr. Abhijit Shahaji Khandkar Both the Oscar wins for India have indigenous tribes at their heart. A lot has been written about the insensitive treatment and portrayal of the Gond tribes in RRR. That’s no surprise coming from Rajamouli who is openly casteist and wears his Hindutva on his sleeves. The tribal characters, right from …

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‘Begumpura Productions’

Dear friends, Jai Bhim. I’m excited to share about this new journey and the beginning of our ‘Begumpura Productions’- a space we’re creating to tell our stories. I have spent the last six years working in this elite field of documentary filmmaking with few resources, less privilege and zero caste capital. Very often, young, eager …