Reality Check

Documentary Film Screening

An NCPA Presentation in collaboration with Cinema Collective

The Reality Check film series promotes and encourage documentary filmmakers in India, whose work reflects life and culture in the country today in a provocative blend of creativity and integrity.

Janani’s Juliet
Tamil Film with English Subtitles (53 mins)
(India’s Official Entry to the Oscars)

Kausalya lost her husband Shankar when they were attacked by her own family because they had married against their families’ wishes. Deeply disturbed by a spate of honour killings in India, Indianostrum, a Pondicherry-based theatre group sets out to introspect the implications of caste, class and gender in their adaptation of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. What emerges in the process is a critical reflection and commentary on the contemporary Indian society where love struggles to survive.

Pankaj Rishi Kumar introduces layers of complexity into the film by weaving in the making of the play, Chandala. The dialogue between the theatre director and the actors to adapt the play into the Indian context works as a Greek chorus keep the viewer engaged. “You are Juliet’s messengers to me,” the director tells the female cast members. As they dig deeper into their own psyche, we begin to question why it was all about Romeo even in Shakespeare’s time. Why do we not know more about Juliet? In addition to being India’s official entry to the Oscars in 2019, the film has been screened at several festivals and earned many awards.

Director, Camera, Sound Design and Editing: Pankaj Rishi Kumar
Producer: PSBT

The film screening will be followed by a discussion.

Admission on a first-come-first-served basis.  NCPA Members will get preferential seating till 6.20 pm.