Media new and old on one platform

GURGAON: The inaugural Gurgaon International Film and Literature Festival (GIFLIF) gets under way on Friday, and there's plenty for cinema and literature buffs to look forward to.
"Literature has always been an essential component of films, and both have imagination, art and life central to their existence," offered Ridhima Sud, who will be appearing at the festival.The Gurgaon-based actress, who starred in 'Dil Dhadakne Do', will be taking part in the session on 'art and gender', alongside Shabana Azmi and Pallavi Joshi. It will be Sud's first time at such an event, and dovetails perfectly with the commercial release of 'Kajarya' on the opening day.
"My love for cinema started with watching movies at festivals. The Tribeca film festival was a huge part of my time in New York and I value the culture that festivals perpetuate," she told TOI. "I'm also happy that my first feature film as a lead ('Kajarya') was able to be showcased at so many festivals before getting a commercial release."
'Kajarya' is an unflinchingly honest portrayal of female infanticide. And it's not surprising that her co-panelist's oeuvre influenced this film. "(Azmi's) realistic and nuanced performances and willingness to take on dramatic roles that require depth and a deep understanding of life on a subconscious level, were an inspiration for 'Kajarya'," explained Sud. There is, says Sud, an evident disparity between the masculine and the feminine, what with old sureties vanishing amid fluid gender equations. "As a result, there is a recalibration of what it means to be an individual within and outside of prescribed social structures." But, no matter how deep-rooted the patriarchy in Indian society, Sud says she finds encouragement in the fact that a conversation is under way.
Befitting someone who has a degree in politics and economics (she specialized in comparative global politics at New York University), Sud, refreshingly, is not shy of voicing what she feels.
"I am inherently trained to think in political and socio-economic terms and do so more often than not. It would be a shame to then not have an opinion and express it!" She can be seen on day one at Cyber Hub.
Also taking part will be Rahul Roushan, the man behind the immensely popular Faking News, and one of many at the vanguard of the brave new media.
"Films are like popular literature, so it's good to see both on the same platform," says Roushan, who will be speaking in the session, 'Alternative Media Platforms', on day two. He describes Faking News as "pop satire" rather than pure satire, one reason why, he feels, it has struck a chord with people.
Opening proceedings on December 4 will be Piyush Mishra's 'The Playback Singer', a film that comes highly recommended. As, indeed, does the Gurgaon International Film and Literature Festival.