- “The Malayalam industry has a safer environment now for women,” said Filmmaker Chidambaram S. Poduval
- “Performing arts need to go beyond the niche to appeal to the next generation,” said Theatre and Film Actor Mohammad Ali Baig
Kolkata: At ABP Network’s The Southern Rising Summit 2024, Theatre and Film Actor Mohammad Ali Baig reflecting on his upbringing in the theatre said, “I grew up in green rooms during the 70s, 80s, and 90s, so for me it was an automatic transition because my whole family was in theatre.”
In the session titled, “Charminar and Beyond: Hyderabad as Muse”, Theatre Actor Baig discussing Hyderabad’s cultural richness remarked, “Hyderabad has a huge history of culture and cuisine. It is much more than just Charminar and biryani. The foundation of the city is based on love; it could have been the first performing arts centre in the world.”
When asked how he chooses which play to perform, Baig explained, “I do not pick plays off the shelves. If I can’t connect with a piece of writing, how will I make my audience connect with it? Today, with any type of entertainment available at the click of a phone, if the audience makes an effort to come to your play, devoting 2-3 hours of their time to you and your art, you must respect that time. Performing arts need to go beyond the niche to appeal to the next generation of audience.”
In the following session titled, “Manjummel Boys: The Story Behind the Success”, Filmmaker Chidambaram S. Poduval discusses the Malayalam film industry’s progress, and notes,“Our limitation is our superpower in Malayalam cinema. The Malayalam industry has a safer environment now for women, thanks to the speedy formulation of a comprehensive policy focused on ensuring their safety and protection in the wake of the Justice Hema Commission report.”
Reflecting on the story behind his film’s massive success, Poduval shared, “The story was an urban legend, a true story. I met the people involved, heard the story from them, and got inspired. It changed the history of a place, and they have been telling this story for 15 years. I thought this is something the world should know.”
He also explained the sentiment behind narrating the story of 11 individuals in one film, “I have reduced the reality of the story but tried to tell all their stories because when I sit with them and watch, they will ask, ‘Where am I?’ What will I tell them?”
Recalling a significant moment with Kamal Haasan after the success of his film, Poduval shared, “Kamal sir called me after watching the movie and invited all the boys to his office. I draw inspiration from him, so I cherish that moment.”
Looking ahead, Poduval expressed his enthusiasm for upcoming projects, “I am currently working on two projects. I haven’t signed with anyone yet, but both will be big movies featuring big stars.”
The Southern Rising Summit 2024, hosted by ABP Network, India’s premier multi-language news platform, was conceptualised as a tribute to the exceptional growth, cultural opulence, and societal harmony exemplified by the southern states of India. In its second edition, this transformative summit convened on the theme “Coming of Age: Identity, Inspiration, Impact”, with the leading voices from politics, culture, and industry converging to celebrate South India’s remarkable journey and its influential role in driving economic growth and cultural innovation across the nation.
