No film can rise above its story: Writer-director Ranjani Raghavan at Mangaluru Lit Fest
Mangaluru (Karnataka) (PTI): Actor, writer, and filmmaker Ranjani Raghavan on Saturday underlined the centrality of storytelling in cinema, asserting that no film can rise above its story, regardless of scale or technique.
Speaking at the Mangaluru Lit Fest, Raghavan said, "Cinema often gets trapped in superficial aesthetics. As long as there are values and honesty in storytelling, an emotional connection is possible."
Growth, she added, happens only when one is willing to question oneself and put in sustained effort.
Raghavan, who primarily works in Kannada films, participated in a session titled 'Imagination, Storytelling and Camera', where she reflected on her journey and spoke candidly about the creative and commercial challenges of filmmaking.
Explaining the process, Raghavan said imagination comes at little cost, but writing demands discipline.
"A story must be written, rewritten, shared, and refined repeatedly. This stage requires time and mental effort. Once filming begins, costs rise, and business concerns come into play. Filmmakers must keep the audience in mind without compromising the core idea," she said.
Raghavan is also well known for her roles in the TV series 'Putta Gowri Maduve' and 'Kannadathi', and is the author of the book 'Kathe Dabbi'.
Looking back on her career, she said she had little initial interest in directing.
"As an actor, I did not question the director’s vision. Later, when I began writing and working as a screenwriter, the urge to direct grew naturally. Direction came to me through observation, editing, and understanding visual language," she said.
Raghavan emphasised that preparation is everything. "For any film, the story is non-negotiable. You cannot bypass it. What you can do is enrich it. I constantly ask myself whether the story is relevant today and whether it can be told in an engaging, entertaining way. Only when I find convincing answers do I move forward," she said.
Addressing contemporary cinema, she observed that characters and gender representation are evolving. "Women are no longer portrayed as divine; they are allowed flaws, independence, and mistakes—just like men. Masculinity and femininity coexist within individuals, and cinema must reflect this reality, honestly," she said.
She also acknowledged the growing influence of digital platforms, noting that storytelling today extends beyond cinema halls to reels and short-form content, where authenticity often resonates more strongly than spectacle.
Senior actor and writer Poornima Suresh, active in Kannada and Konkani theatre, television, and cinema, also spoke at the session, saying that imagination is the lifeblood of writing.
"Life experiences shape stories. When expressed honestly and artistically, they become universal," she said, adding that men and women experience life differently, and both perspectives deserve space in storytelling.
The eighth edition of the two-day Mangaluru Lit Fest, organised by the Bharat Foundation, began on January 10 at the TMA Pai International Convention Centre.
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The Latest: Kuwait blames Iran for drone strikes as Trump casts doubt on ceasefire
Dubai (AP): US President Donald Trump appeared to cast doubt on the effectiveness of the two-week ceasefire over Iran's continued chokehold over the Strait of Hormuz, while Kuwait accused Iran and its proxies of launching drone attacks targeting it on Thursday despite the ceasefire.
Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard denied launching attacks on Persian Gulf states after Kuwait's announcement.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered a potential boost to ceasefire efforts in the region when he said he had approved direct talks with Lebanon. The Lebanese government has not responded as of Friday morning.
The announcement came after Israel's pounding of Beirut Wednesday killed more than 300 people. The negotiations are expected next week in Washington, according to a person familiar with the matter.
Questions remained over what will happen to Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium at the heart of tensions, how and when normal traffic will resume through the Strait of Hormuz, and what happens to Iran's ability to launch future missile attacks and support armed proxies in the region.
Talks between the United States and Iran on a resolution to the conflict are expected to start Saturday in Islamabad, with the White House saying Vice President JD Vance would lead the US delegation.
Here is the latest:
Air defence fire and explosions heard in Iran
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Multiple times overnight into Friday morning, people around Iran's capital, Tehran, and other parts of the country said they heard what sounded like air defence fire and explosions.
However, Iran's government did not acknowledge any attack during that period.
After past exchanges of fire with Israel, similar incidents happened as troops remained on edge.
Japan releases more oil reserves
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Japan said it will release an additional 20 days' worth of oil reserves in May, in a second round to address supply uncertainty over the war in the Middle East.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the planned release of the government reserves will start in early May, after an earlier release last month.
Japan started releasing about 50 days' worth of oil reserves in March, including from those held by the state, the private sector and oil-producing Gulf nations.
As of April 6, Japan had 230 days' worth oil reserves, including 143 days' worth in government stockpiles, according to the Natural Resources and Energy Agency.
Takaichi said her government is working to secure oil imports via routes that do not include the Strait of Hormuz, while Japan seeks to diversify suppliers.
Pakistan to issue visas on arrival ahead of talks
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Pakistan said Friday it would issue visas on arrival for those travelling to Islamabad for the Iran-US talks, signalling the interest in the world's media in the event.
