During an interview for Telugu film recently RichActor Anupama Parmeswaran became bright when asked about the appearance of women in the unit of director Praveen Kandrigula. “Generally, in addition to me and my hairdresser, most of the crew will be men. This is not wrong. But, for a film that discusses female friendship, the appearance of women in the direction, cinematography, dress and other departments helped in an easy exchange of ideas. When I was unwell, it was still relaxed,” she said.
Earlier, Shruti Haasan resonated a similar feeling while talking to this journalist in the context of her international film, Eye, A psychological thriller produced by melani dicks, directed by Daffne Sean with the screenplay by Emily Carlton. Shruti said that she wanted to work with a female director, after a year she worked with Aishwarya Rajinikanth for the Tamil film. 3,
“Director of writer and director Eye Knowing each other because they were children. I stepped into a pre -existing sisterhood. This is amazing when women share stories from the place of sympathy, “Shruti said,” When a team of women works together, there is more depth in storytelling. ,
The film brings a big discussion of gender to units. Are film units difficult for women to navigate, which work for a long time and mainly the men’s workforce?
Merit matters
Pooja Koluru, who is directing the Telugu superhero film MahakaliLos Angeles and Florida recall film units, where women formed around 40% of the workforce. An alumni of Ringling College of Arts and Design, USA, Pooja Note, “Is it specially chosen. Each unit member was selected on merit. Technical departments like cinematography did not have many women in technical departments, but dress and production design departments had many women.”
Years later, when Pooja directed Martin Luther KingTelugu remake of Tamil film MandelaSome women joined their team. On the set of MahakaliShe has two female assistant directors (ADS), with eight male advertisements. “I saw fire in these girls; it was a worthy metric.”
However, Pooja states that very few women applied for an advertisement. “If I get 80 applications from men, there will be only 10 from women. Pre-procrastinated assumptions about the film industry make women reluctant to come forward, but need to take more important steps. As a director, I try to make the work experience equal to all gender.”
Director Praveen Kandrigula echoes a similar idea. Along with the scripting stage as well as on the film set, whether the story is male or female-centered, he tries to create a scope where there is mutual respect between the sexes. “Arts and techniques come together in script writing, direction, cinematography and production design. You need the right people.”
Praveen explains that Mridul Sen’s choice as director of photography Sobham (First production of Samantha Ruth Prabhu) and Rich There was nothing to do with the fact that many women were characters in both these stories. “I chose Mridul because the spirit of her lanking and light was notable in her earlier films. Similarly, for my first film Cinema captive I contacted Apoorva Anil Shaligram as he had previously worked in Indie films. ,
Stereotypes
Praveen sees that one often finds women as assistants in various departments, although they prefer that they lead some of them. Krishna Pratusha, who contributed to the screenplay Cinema captive, The script was planted as a doctor Uttara, Which was written by Pujita Srikanti and Paras Bopuri.
Praveen Kandrigula | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Praveen reiterated that this time is film units and society looks at previous orthodoxy and understand that gender cannot be a determined factor in writing or directing a film.
Some of the most popular examples will be directors Zoya Akhtar and Farah Khan. with Zindagi na milei dobara And StreetZoya broke the notion that women directors bow down to women-centric stories. This was a similar story with Farah’s very entertaining Om Shanti Om And Main hoon na,
Pooja says, “Mahakali An action entertainer is, and Prasanth Verma is the first female superhero film in the cinematic universe (the first of which was Hanu-Man), Martin Luther King Was a male hero. Female writers can bring sensitivity to male characters and male writers can bring ‘macho-nam’ for female characters. Ultimately, this story should benefit. ,
On the ground, there is a fight to win.
Srividya Vahamalai, a graduate in journalism, English literature and psychology, who wishes to direct a film, admits that film units have a tendency to limit a female assistant director in coordination with the dress department. As an advertisement, when she was a newcomer on the set of Vivek Athreya BrochewerevaruraShe was pleasantly surprised when she was asked to coordinate with the Department of Art and Production Design. “There were logical issues each day, and it was a good learning experience. Initially, it was difficult for some people to take instructions from me, but I learned that when you talk with respect, it is mutual.”
Sridul Sen | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Anubhav also relaxed the fear of her and her parents whether the industry is a safe place to work. “I was the only female advertisement but the work experience was fantastic.”
Then he worked with Vivek’s team Ante SundranikiThis time, the production design was led by Lata Naidu, who also had women assistants. Srividya says, “There were at least 10 women on the set,” I have worked in films in seven years, I have seen more women step. ,
Recently, Srividya was a Tamil dialogue coach for Nagarjuna Akini Coolie,
Pioneer
In Telugu cinema, directors such as Sekhar Kammula, Nag Ashwin, Vivek Atreya and Nandini Reddy are known for women in various departments. When a director or manufacturer takes a gender sensitive approach, the atmosphere occurs through the unit. Debut director Vidyadhar for Kazita GamiThe production design was led by Praveya D.
Srividia explains that in the units with which they have worked, it is not troublesome when they had to instruct the male counterparts. But there is scope for improvement. There are accidental references for women “Aa ammi (That girl/woman) “Instead of addressing by the name. She also sees how some of her female friends went away from cinema, dissatisfied with treatment.” We all want verification for our work, as we hope to write and direct our films. There are cases when the suggestions of women advertisements are brushed on one side. Friends have told me that it is constantly shown in its place, or when they work hard twice as men, adequate payment is still not made. ,
Another concern is the access of a clean washroom, especially in external places. It is one of the aspects revealed in a report presented to the Telangana State Government on the working conditions of women in Telugu cinema, which is still waiting for approval for implementation.
Archana Rao | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Credit and recognition for work is also on the specialist. Archana Rao, who has worked on costumes of Telugu films Mahanati, Kalki 2898 AD, Lucky BasakharAnd Malayalam women superhero film Loca – Chapter A: ChandraIt is expected that the costume design becomes recognized in the main credit or poster of a film. “The costumes are integral to tell the story, and yet the credit is often ignored. Giving it a better visibility will lead to a long way to accept the contribution of the craft. Kalki 2898ad Set an example by doing this .. ”
Archana, who won the National Award for Best Dress Design GreatnessShe says that she depends on the instinct to take a film: “It may seem clinch, but the instinct has always been my compass. Every time I have ignored it, I have difficult experiences. I need to feel that I am really in that world, and when I do, my best work is.”
Ever since Archana stepped into film sets, she has worked in departments with women: “On LocaFor example, Sandhi Balachandran (writer) was someone I could bounce ideas while designing costumes. Those exchanges made the process more level. ,
Archana said that she always prefers to work with women in leadership roles. “They are comfortable, and how this sensitivity works a team, it suggests that it makes the set feel like home, and it is a comfortable place.”