Top Takeaways From Cinema Geniuses

Indian cinema is one of the few industries that brims with talent and groundbreaking ideas. Its impact on society is profound and far-reaching, shaping cultural norms, influencing attitudes and behaviours, and serving as a powerful medium for storytelling, expression and social change.

Gathered at the coveted Future of Design Summit 2024, stalwarts from the Indian cinema industry spoke to the audience about their body of work and the different narratives that revolve around the industry. Their journeys are not only a testament to their hard work and diligence but also actively shape cinema for a consumer of tomorrow.

Here are some of the top takeaways:

Filmmaker Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari on her learnings from advertising

“For me, advertising has helped through the whole process of storytelling, from writing a 30-second ad to evolving it into a two-hour film. But at the same time, we have a 360-degree approach to advertising that follows. For instance, we factor in how it looks on your hoardings or BTL. Now, when you think of a commercial, you also think of horizontal and vertical formats. Today, we are thinking of ideas with respect to design as well. To stand out from the chaos, standing out as a creator or a brand becomes essential. This is where my experience in advertising comes in handy.”

Actor and director Rajat Kapoor on how he looks at theatre and mainstream cinema

"Both are completely different. Theatre and cinema have nothing in common except that they both use actors but in very different ways. You create an image through textures, colours, light and how it falls, how the camera moves. An actor is only a small part of the larger scheme of things.

Theatre is really the medium of actors. Whatever you create on stage is through his body and voice. Without an actor, cinema may be possible, but not theatre."

Actor Vijay Varma on movies leading conversations on what is happening in society

“Movies have a profound impact on society. It does put on a magnifying glass, for sure. In Pink, for example, the whole idea of consent became a conversation at the dining table. Even with Darlings, the theme was about domestic abuse and women finding the power in themselves to battle it. Recently, Laapata Ladies and Dahaad did the same. The ones watching are receiving what they are supposed to receive. In a climate like that, if films can speak metaphorically and connect, it is good.”