INDEPENDENT CINEMA DOESN'T HAVE A SUPPORT SYSTEM IN INDIA
The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram|January 07, 2025
Producers Guneet Monga and Achin Jain reflect on the shrinking space for indie projects in the country, the rising costs of filmmaking and distribution, and why Kill got a lukewarm response
KARTIK BHARDWAJ

AST year was packed for Sikhya Entertainment producers Guneet Monga and Achin Jain. They joined forces with Dharma Productions and brought forth the gory-actioner Kill to Indian theatres. Their sci-fi police procedural Gyaarah Gyaarah made it to IMDb's list of Most Popular Indian Web Series, teen-drama Gutar Gu was renewed for a second season and they also came out with Honey Singh: Famous, a documentary on the controversial singer-rapper. Another feather in their cap was Anuja, a short film backed by them, which was shortlisted for Oscars 2025 for the Best Live-Action short category.

Known for backing content-driven films like The Lunchbox (2013), Masaan (2015) and Pagglait (2021), among others, Guneet and Achin talk about the changing landscape for indie releases in India, difficulties in getting a small film to theatres, and why Kill didn't get the response it should have. Excerpts:

How do you guys look back at 2024?

Denne historien er fra January 07, 2025-utgaven av The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra January 07, 2025-utgaven av The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE NEW INDIAN EXPRESS THIRUVANANTHAPURAMSe alt
The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram

Cinema is my way of addressing social issues

When we are seated in front of theatre screens, diving deep into the world of a film, seldom do we understand the technical effort that goes behind creating the fictional world.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 09, 2025
The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram

What Sets Rekhachithram Apart Is Its Backdrop

Ahead of its release today, Jofin T Chacko discusses his sophomore directorial Rekhachithram, the challenges of crafting an alternate history narrative, casting choices, and more

time-read
3 mins  |
January 09, 2025
The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram

Rekindling a Poetic Tradition

TNIE takes a look at how the literary artform of Aksharaslokam is being preserved through cultural groups and Kalolsavam

time-read
3 mins  |
January 09, 2025
The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram

My Award Is A Recognition For Swimming Itself

In a quick chat with TNIE, ace Malayali swimmer Sajan Prakash, who has been chosen for the Arjuna Award, shares his hope of swimming getting its due in India

time-read
2 mins  |
January 09, 2025
The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram

Creations in distant lands

ASK any middle-class Indian household if they have members of their clan in distant shores and the answer would certainly be in the affirmative.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 09, 2025
The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram

BFI Adopts New Weight Classes

The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) is conducting the men's national championships here in 10 weight categories, in line with the classification introduced by the breakaway World Boxing. The ongoing event is being held under World Boxing's Technical and Competition Rules, which has 10 instead of the 13 weight categories that feature in the suspended International Boxing Association's (IBA) roster.

time-read
1 min  |
January 09, 2025
The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram

SA20: Skipper Markram aims a threepeat with Sunrisers Eastern Cape

FRESH from playing a key role in helping South Africa qualify for the third edition of the World Test Championship, Aiden Markram has set his sights on a threepeat with Sunrisers Eastern Cape in the SA20.

time-read
1 min  |
January 09, 2025
The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram

Janssen-sational: TN Dragons pip Team Gonasika

JIP JANSSEN slammed a hat-trick to steer Tamil Nadu Dragons to a tight 6-5 win over Team Gonasika in a high-scoring Hockey India League (HIL) clash here on Wednesday.

time-read
1 min  |
January 09, 2025
The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram

Malaysia Open: Prannoy, Sat-Chi Enter Round of 16

HS Prannoy's match, his first since the Paris Olympics, was halted by rain on Tuesday.

time-read
1 min  |
January 09, 2025
The New Indian Express Thiruvananthapuram

Selective application undermines credibility of sports governance

PT Usha and sports ministry are at loggerheads over the Indian Golf Union recognition.

time-read
2 mins  |
January 09, 2025