Shivamma director Jaishankar talks about parallel cinema, Shivamma, and more | Podcast | Episode 22

Jaishankar Aryar is the writer and director of the critically acclaimed film Shivamma, produced by Rishab Shetty Films. In this conversation, Jaishankar talks about parallel cinema, his approach to realistic storytelling, using sync-sound, film festivals, grants for filmmakers and more.
Host: Mohan BS
Edit: Anushk Raj
DOP: Yashwanth Ulivala, Laxmish Naik
00:00 - Introduction
01:01 - How is parallel cinema different from mainstream cinema?
04:01 - Whose stories are we telling, and who is consuming it?
06:26 - Why choose a non-cinematic way of storytelling?
08:42 - His writing and research process for Shivamma
12:20 - How do you achieve a non-cinematic aesthetic in production design and costumes?
16:04 - What is the role of improvisation in a documentary style, realistic filmmaking?
19:18 - How do you negotiate “sticking to the script”, while improvising?
20:28 - Casting of the lead of Shivamma and her preparations for the role
23:22 - Why do you insist on working with non-actors?
24:07 - How important is “lived experience”, while playing a role?
25:03 - What kind of decisions do you take in camera placements and shot selection?
27:56 - His crew, their roles and responsibilities
32:20 - The production design process, and costumes of Shivamma
35:57 - Why the decision of not using background music in his films?
37:09 - An in-depth discussion about using sync sound while shooting a film.
44:10 - What is the NFDC film lab, what resources do they provide for filmmakers?
49:24 - The film festival circuit in India and abroad, the expenses involved and more…
51:30 - What are film grants?
53:00 - What is the future of parallel cinema?

[@SSRavikumar]

Shivamma is a great movie. Jaishankar has done a brilliant job. Please do watch it. Interview is also good. It will great if it’s conversational rather than questioning and answering.

[@sathwikshetty7732]

Good interview

[@Pavan-os3wv]

sound is less bro