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Tag: Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari

  • Ghotul film revives tribal wisdom to spark talks on girls’ rights and choice

    Ghotul film revives tribal wisdom to spark talks on girls’ rights and choice

    MUMBAI: Silence may be golden, but sometimes it’s deafening. On the International Day of the Girl Child, UNAIDS has dropped Ghotul, a short film that whispers ancient wisdom and shouts modern truth. Drawing from the Gond Muria tribe’s age-old “Ghotul” tradition, the film reimagines how young people can talk openly about love, consent, and the right to make choices, topics often hushed in contemporary India.

    Every year, 21 million girls across the globe become pregnant over 11 million of them in India. And each week, 4,000 adolescent girls are newly infected with HIV. The numbers are staggering, but the silence surrounding sex, desire, and bodily autonomy is even louder. Ghotul seeks to break this silence, spotlighting the urgent need for safe spaces where adolescents can speak, listen, and learn without shame.

    In Gond culture, the Ghotul was no taboo corner, it was a communal space where elders guided youth through lessons of love and responsibility. The film revives this lost wisdom, using it as a lens to challenge the modern discomfort around sexuality and gender dialogue.

    Penned by author and gender inclusion expert Shruti Johri, the 12-minute film is directed by Shashanka “Bob” Chaturvedi of Good Morning Films. The concept comes from advertising veteran and feminist Swati Bhattacharya, with cinematography by award-winning DoP Tassaduq Hussain, of Omkara and Kaminey fame. The cast includes Indira Tiwari, known for Serious Men and Gangubai Kathiawadi, alongside rising actor Puja Kulay.

    “This film is about breaking that silence,” says Johri. “It’s an invitation to reimagine a world where our daughters are not guarded like clay pots but guided like rivers, free to choose, to love, and to live without shame.”

    For Swati Bhattacharya, the project is about reclaiming lost intimacy in conversations: “In tribal wisdom, elders spoke freely with adolescents about love and growing bodies not to shame them, but to guide them. Today, when the internet fills that void, Ghotul reminds us to bring honest conversations back home.”

    UNAIDS executive director Winnie Byanyima puts it plainly: “By knowing the facts and educating young people about their sexual health, we can help them feel safe and stay safe.”

    The film has already found fans among some of India’s most influential voices. Producer Guneet Monga praised its “courage, compassion, and cultural depth”, while Apoorva Bakshi, Emmy-winning producer of Delhi Crime, hailed it as “a feminist reframing of indigenous wisdom”. Filmmaker Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari called it “a courageous and tender revival of the spaces our youth desperately need today”.

    Journalist Barkha Dutt added a sharp reminder: “Only one in 10 Indian men use a condom. The burden of birth control continues to fall on women. Ghotul opens space for honest conversations about reproductive autonomy. We say ‘our body, our choice’ but is that really the case?”

    In reviving a tribal tradition, Ghotul sparks a very contemporary revolution, a reminder that true modernity might lie in rediscovering old wisdom. Because sometimes, to move forward, all we need to do is listen to the voices that spoke first.

  • Red Lorry Film Festival announces esteemed jury for 2025 Competition Segment

    Red Lorry Film Festival announces esteemed jury for 2025 Competition Segment

    MUMBAI: The spotlight is set, the reels are ready, and the magic of cinema is about to unfold once again.

    The Red Lorry Film Festival, India’s premier international celebration of storytelling, makes a grand return in 2025, promising a cinematic extravaganza like no other.

    With its second edition slated for 21–23 March 2025, the festival unveils a stellar jury panel for its Competition Segment, poised to evaluate the finest films of 2024. Adding to its allure, the festival ventures beyond Mumbai this year, introducing Red Lorry Film Festival: Parallel Verse in the vibrant city of Hyderabad, weaving together a dual-city saga of cinematic brilliance.

    This year’s festival promises an immersive celebration of global cinema, featuring over 120 films spanning diverse languages, genres, and cultures. The newly introduced Competition Segment highlights exceptional talent across two categories:

    1    The Front Runners (Best Film): Recognising outstanding storytelling and technical excellence.

    2    Fresh Frames (Best Debut Film): Celebrating bold narratives from first-time filmmakers.

    Submissions for both categories remain open until 14 January 2025, offering filmmakers a chance to showcase their creativity on a global stage.

    The 2025 jury panel brings together an eclectic mix of luminaries celebrated for their contributions to storytelling and artistic innovation:

    1    Acclaimed filmmaker behind Udaan and Lootera, Vikramaditya Motwane expressed his excitement: “Cinema is a universal language and I am truly excited to celebrate its transformative power at Red Lorry Film Festival 2025. Festivals like these provide a platform for innovative voices and stories that push the limits of creativity and it’s an honour to be part of a space that celebrates and nurtures such bold, transformative storytelling.”

    2    Writer-director of Berlin and Jubilee, Atul Sabharwal highlighted, “Cinema is a mirror to society, capturing its complexities, dreams and unspoken truths. Red Lorry Film Festival stands as a beacon of innovation in cinema, celebrating bold storytelling and emerging talent that challenges perspectives and sparks meaningful conversations. I look forward to celebrating and amplifying voices that are redefining storytelling on the global stage and to witnessing the impact of stories that resonate deeply with audiences worldwide.”

    3    Journalist and author, Kaveree Bamzai added, “This festival is a celebration of stories that connect us all, transcending boundaries and bringing us closer through shared experiences and emotions. In a world that is increasingly complex, I am thrilled to explore narratives that not only reflect its multifaceted beauty but also challenge us to think deeper, empathise more and celebrate the richness of human expression. Festivals like these remind us of the power of storytelling – to inform, inspire and transform – and I am honoured to be a part of this vibrant exchange of ideas and perspectives.”

    4    PVR-Inox Cinemas executive director, Sanjeev Kumar Bijli shared, “At PVR Inox, we have always strived to push the boundaries of storytelling and offer audiences an unparalleled cinematic experience. Red Lorry Film Festival perfectly aligns with our vision by celebrating creativity, diverse narratives and the transformative power of films. I am delighted to be part of a platform that not only showcases exceptional talent but also nurtures innovation and inclusivity in cinema.”

    5    Kathak dancer and actor, Prachee Shah Paandya said, “Cinema, much like dance, is a powerful expression of life – both are art forms that transcend words, evoke deep emotions and bring stories to life in a way that resonates universally. I am truly honoured to be part of a festival that fosters and celebrates emerging voices in filmmaking, providing a platform for fresh talent to shine and contribute to the ever-evolving narrative of cinema. As someone who has had the privilege of representing India’s cultural heritage globally through dance and storytelling, I deeply value initiatives like this that champion creativity, diversity and the limitless possibilities of artistic expression.”

    6    Award-winning filmmaker of Bareilly Ki Barfi and Panga, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari remarked, “Storytelling is the soul of human connection and cinema is one of its most powerful medium. I am honoured to be part of the Red Lorry Film Festival that celebrates the art of movie making and provides a platform for new and emerging voices to share their unique narratives. As a filmmaker, I believe in the power of stories to inspire, evoke change and bring us closer to our roots. Film Festivals like these not only encourage unique voices but also nurture and give an equal platform to the next generation of storytellers, ensuring that the magic of cinema continues to thrive and evolve from India to the world.”

    7    BookMyShow founder & CEO, Ashish Hemrajani joined as an honorary juror, stating, “At BookMyShow, we love storytellers, recognising the ability to inspire, connect and question the status quo. Red Lorry Film Festival perfectly embodies this ethos – serving as a platform that celebrates cinematic excellence and also lends a voice to what’s pushing the boundaries of creativity. As an Honorary Juror, I am humbled and excited to witness first-hand the exceptional talent that emerges via this discovery. This festival is a testament to the potential of cinema to ignite imagination and hopefully leave a lasting impact on the world.”

    Led by BookMyShow COO – cinemas, Ashish Saksena, the festival is more than a cinematic showcase; it is a platform for fostering creative talent and celebrating storytelling’s transformative impact. Saksena shared, “We are thrilled to have such an exceptional panel of jurors, each bringing a unique perspective and deep understanding of storytelling. Their expertise and passion for cinema will undoubtedly enrich the festival and set the stage for discovering groundbreaking talent. The Red Lorry Film Festival is not just a celebration of films; it’s a platform that champions diverse voices, nurtures creativity and showcases the transformative power of storytelling. Audiences can look forward to an extraordinary experience that pushes the boundaries of cinematic innovation and inspires meaningful conversations.”

    Cinephiles can secure their festival passes exclusively on BookMyShow, starting at Rs 750. With a lineup that includes cultural performances, food zones, and tech showcases, the event promises an unforgettable cinematic journey.

    Key highlights of Red Lorry Film Festival 2025

    1    Competition Segment: Celebrating exceptional films in two categories.
    2    Music Concert: Featuring a top artist on Valentine’s Day.
    3    Global Cinema: Over 120 titles across languages and genres.
    4    Immersive Experiences: Cultural performances, travel competitions, and more

    For filmmakers and cinema lovers, true triumph lies not just in box-office millions but in the art of storytelling being seen, celebrated, and revered. This festival is your stage to shine, your story’s moment to connect with a global audience, and your chance to be part of a legacy of cinematic brilliance.

    Don’t let this opportunity pass – submit your films, secure your tickets, and step into the spotlight of recognition.

    The world is ready to applaud your story; all it takes is your first act.

    https://in.bookmyshow.com/events/red-lorry-film-festival/ET00418784

  • ZEE5 unveils first look of ‘Break Point’

    ZEE5 unveils first look of ‘Break Point’

    Mumbai: ZEE5 has unveiled first look of the upcoming non-fiction series “Break Point”, based on the lives of tennis champions Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi. The seven-episode series will be exclusively available on ZEE5 soon.

    The streaming platform has partnered with award-winning filmmaker duo Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari and Nitesh Tiwari to helm this series. It marks ZEE5’s first partnership with the filmmakers under their banner Earthsky Pictures, known for films such as “Dangal”, “Panga”, “Chhichhore”, and “Nil Battey Sannata”. This is also the first time that Ashwiny and Nitesh will be co-directing a project. 

    Revealing the first poster of the ZEE5 original series, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari and Nitesh Tiwari in a joint statement said, “It’s great to bring to screen a series like this on the home-grown video streaming platform ZEE5. Working with icons Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes has been surreal. Bringing their untold story to screen is something that we will cherish forever.”

    “Break Point” is a telling narrative of Paes and Bhupati’s friendship, partnership, belief, hard work and ambitions which made them one of the most feared doubles pairs during the late 1990s, ranking the world’s top position in 1999. The series also throws light on their bitter breakup and how they couldn’t hold on to their meteoric rise.

    Sharing his sentiments on the upcoming series, Paes said, “I enjoyed this walk down memory lane shooting for ‘Break Point’ with wonderful storytellers like Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari and Nitesh Tiwari in collaboration with ZEE5. While Mahesh and my on-court partnership was widely covered, our off-court chemistry was largely speculated. This is the first time that our fans will get to see and hear it all, first-hand. Mahesh and I worked really hard to put India on top of world tennis and we are glad that we are getting a chance to present our story to the world, like never before.”

    Bhupathi added, “It is no secret that I am reserved when it comes to communicating, so this is a big step for me to relive the journey and put it all out there in the most candid and honest manner. But, at the same time, I am happy that our fans will get to see our journey which was a mix of sweat, perseverance, brotherhood and at times blood and tears as well. This is surely going to be a treat for all, and I am thankful to Ashwiny, Nitesh, and ZEE5 for giving it everything.”

  • Zee5 announces OTT series on Leander Paes-Mahesh Bhupathi partnership

    Zee5 announces OTT series on Leander Paes-Mahesh Bhupathi partnership

    KOLKATA: Zee5 has announced sports docu-drama “Break Point” with the award-winning filmmaker duo Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari and Nitesh Tiwari at the helm. The series will explore the untold story of the titans of tennis Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, their partnership and the bitter break-up, the platform said in a statement on Thursday.

    The show will also mark Zee5’s first partnership with the filmmakers under their banner Earthsky Pictures.

    Speaking about the offering, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd content and international markets president Punit Misra said, “Our Content design philosophy is simple – Build a deep understanding of viewers as people, not just as consumers of content. Build a bank of insights about the people, their culture, what interests and inspires them, what are their fears, hopes and aspirations. And powered with these insights, tell stories that connect, inspire, entertain and energize.”

    “To tell these powerful stories in an impactful way, we want to partner with the best creative leaders. I am very proud of our partnership with Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari and Nitesh Tiwari, to tell the amazing story of Lee and Hesh, true champions of our great country. ‘BREAK POINT’ is our effort to bring to our countrymen and to the world the told, but more importantly, the untold story of these adored champions of India,” he added.

    Consumer delight and a seamless user experience have been an integral aspect of Zee5’s approach, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd Digital Businesses & Platforms president Amit Goenka said . With Break Point, the platform is set to further delight its viewers with a gripping story that drove one of the most famous partnerships in sports from India. They see this story opening the floodgates to a new format of narrative and the breadth of content on Zee5, Goenka added.

    Commenting on the partnership with Zee5, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari and Nitesh Tiwari in a joint statement said, “Break Point is an emotionally moving human story of India’s biggest sports legends and their incredible journey through the ups and downs in their professional and personal life. Through this show, we will witness an exemplary story of hard-work, conflict, belief, emotions and ambitions and showcase some of the most iconic moments of Indian tennis. We are both thrilled to be bringing this interesting story through Zee5, one of India’s largest home-grown video streaming platforms.”

  • Thrive Global India launches editorial campaign – ‘Believe’

    Thrive Global India launches editorial campaign – ‘Believe’

    MUMBAI: Thrive Global India recently launched its editorial campaign “Believe”, which will tell extraordinary stories of finding and nurturing belief in situations that, at the outset, appear bleak.

    This was kickstarted by an honest conversation between Thrive's founder and CEO Arianna Huffington and actor Sonam K Ahuja.

    The launch event was organised at JW Marriott in Mumbai and included a panel discussion with author Amish and filmmaker Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari on the role of ancient wisdom in their lives and the importance of inner voice and self-confidence in battling life's challenges. The discussion was followed by a conversation between Huffington and Ahuja on rejection, staying authentic and centred.

    On the launch of the campaign, Huffington said, “I am extremely delighted to announce the launch of the Believe series. The campaign aims towards encouraging reflection and contemplation. The stories of self-belief and hope are exceptionally moving. These stories imbibe the message of always believing in yourself and with that you can say conquer the unknown.”

    ‘Believe’ is a pressing and heartfelt initiative by Thrive Global India in a polarised world that is in need of “belief”. The campaign is focussed on embracing resilience, self-belief, drawing inner strength to fight challenges, and allowing hope to preside over the negativity in the world.

  • India’s 2 entries get shortlisted in Radio Lions

    MUMBAI: Two Indian entries have been shortlisted in the Radio Lions category at Cannes Lions 2012.

    McCann Worldgroup India has been shortlisted Lasky Herbal‘s Plusuer – Plus Condoms for Delay campaign in Pharmacy sub-category.

    The other shortlisted entry is from Leo Burnett India for Strand Book Stall‘s Book Store for Punishment campaign in Retail Stores sub-category.

    The work on Delay campaign is credited to the chief creative officer Prasoon Joshi, executive creative director Ashish Chakravarty, creative directors Nakul Sharma and Tirtha Ghosh, scriptwriter Gunjan Gaba, account supervisor Shourabh Verma, and producer and director Akash Gupta.

    Meanwhile, the work on Punishment campaign is credited to chief creative officer KV Sridhar, executive creative director and scriptwriter Nitesh Tiwari, creative director Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, agency producer Kevin Affonso and advertiser‘s supervisor Vidya Virkar.

    Radio Lions in 2011 had three shortlisted entries from India and they all were from McCann Worldgroup.

    Launched in 2005, the Radio Lions competition honours the best international creative radio advertising.