Not even in terms of craft are the films that are made against me are good enough!
-Pa. Ranjith
The 4th annual “Vanam Art Festival” organized by Neelam Cultural Center to celebrate the birth month of revolutionary Babasaheb Ambedkar as Dalit History Month started on 05.04.2024 with Dalit History Month Exhibition at Neelam Book Arena, Egmore, Chennai. As the second event, the PK Rosi Film Festival at Chennai Prasad Label started on the first day on 08.04.2024 by Director Balaji Sakthivel and Director Pa.Ranjith with drum music and ended very well.
Films, documentaries, short films in various languages were screened on the first day of the event, along with director’s discussions on the films. Director Lenin Bharti, screenwriter Tamil Prabha, editor Vasuki Bhaskar of Neelam Publishing House participated and highlighted.
This was followed by a discussion on the topic of “Social Thinking” organized by screenwriter J. Deepa, with director Arun Matheswaran, director P. S. Vinodraj and director Gauthamraj. Speaking on the occasion, director Arun Matheswaran said, “After the arrival of director B. Ranjith in the film industry, it became easier to make socially conscious films.” Director P.S. spoke next. Vinod Raj also spoke about the need to “broaden the viewership rather than confine it to a single circle”. Finally, director Gautham Raj said, “Socio-politics is a part of my life.”
On the second day of the event
Directors Halitha Shamim, Jio Baby, P.S Mithran and Dharani Raasendran participated in the event titled Modern Cinema. Director Jio Baby said that the relationship between the politics happening in the family and the politics happening in the society is the reflection of my cinema.
Director P.S Mithran criticized the caste based films as being too entertaining to watch.
Director Haleedah Shamim said that the characters depicted in her works are never misrepresented.
Following him, director Dharani Raasendran said that Yathisai is a world cinema and he has used Palantami language in it.
Following this, director Adhyan Adhirai, director Pa. Ranjith, art director Ramalingam, screenwriter and writer Tamil Prabha presented mementos to the directors who participated in the discussion.
On the last day of PK, 10.04.2024, the film Mamannan was screened and the film’s director, art director, editor, sound designer all interacted with the audience.
Director Mari Selvaraj said, “By watching my film, all kinds of questions will arise in each of you,
Then discuss it among yourselves.”
After that Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Now & Then documentary was screened and the film’s director and writer Jyoti Nisha discussed it. It was followed by the screening of the documentary film Writing with Fire directed by Rindu Thomas and Sushit Ghosh.
In the discussion on the topic Dalit cinema hosted by anchor Yugamarudu, directors B. Ranjith, Jayakumar, Dr. Biju Damodaran discussed.
Director Pa.Iranjith speaking
We must realize that there are two types of people who opposed caste and those who were affected by caste. He criticized the films being made against me as not even in terms of craft.
Director Jayakumar said that Buddha and His Dhamma is the book that moves his films to the next level.
Director Dr. Biju said my story is based on my life. He said that the way I am, my pictures will also be the same. Finally, the director of Thandakaranyam film Adhiyan Adhirai, the director of Patil Radha film Dhinakaran, the director of Western Ghats film Lenin Bharti, screenwriter and writer Tamil writer Tamil Prabha gave mementos to the directors who discussed. This was followed by the screening of several films and the last day of the PK Rosi Film Festival concluded on a grand note.
Also following the PK rosy film festival is Damma Drama Festival on 13/04/2024, Nitham Photo Festival on 15/04/2024, 24/04/2024 – 30/04/2024 Art and Aesthetic Painting Exhibition and 27/04/2024 & 28/04/2024. /04/2024 Many events like Dalit Wordsol Literary Gathering are going to be held at various places in Chennai throughout this month.
