Unlocking the Silence: Aditi Anand on the Unspoken Truths of Indian Cinema
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In a candid conversation with Hindustan Times, Aditi Anand, a multi-talented producer and social activist, delves into the unspoken realities of Indian cinema. With a plethora of projects under her belt, including the critically acclaimed 'Bison', Anand shares her thoughts on the rise of hyper-masculine movies, the prevalence of casteism and sexism in the industry, and the importance of representation. Anand's journey began with a passion for storytelling and a desire to explore unconventional narratives. After studying history in college, she started working on documentaries and eventually transitioned to filmmaking. Her experiences with films like 'Paan Singh Tomar' and 'No One Killed Jessica' laid the groundwork for her future projects. When Anand met director Pa Ranjith, she was inspired by his work and saw an opportunity to collaborate. Their partnership led to the establishment of Neelam Studios, which has produced films like 'Writer', 'J Baby', and 'Bison'. Anand credits Ranjith and fellow director Mari Selvaraj with pushing the boundaries of storytelling and tackling sensitive topics like casteism. Anand attributes the discomfort surrounding casteism in cinema to the illusion of a post-caste society in urban cities. She believes that people's privilege is often dependent on being oblivious to casteism, and that even well-intentioned artists like Ranjith and Mari face backlash for telling their life stories. The producer also highlights the dominance of heterosexual, masculine, and heteronormative narratives in Indian cinema. She emphasizes the importance of representation and the need for people to tell their own stories. Anand believes that cinema can be a medium of change, but only through the inclusion of diverse voices and perspectives. The rising ticket prices and lack of representation for women in the film industry are also major concerns for Anand. She notes that Hindi cinema is more progressive in this regard, but South cinema lags behind. Anand concludes that the industry needs to address these issues at a systemic level, with a focus on structural change to create a more inclusive and equitable environment for women. Throughout the conversation, Anand remains steadfast in her commitment to telling untold stories and pushing the boundaries of Indian cinema. Her passion and dedication serve as a testament to the power of film as a medium for social change and representation.
