His film Mulk was recently screened at the 26th Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) to pay tribute to Rishi Kapoor, and Anubhav Sinha spent the rest of the day meeting other dignitaries, and most importantly, presenting this year’s Satyajit Ray Memorial Lecture on Social Responsibility in Mainstream Indian Cinema. In a chat with us, the filmmaker talked about his favourite film among the ones directed by him, the impact of OTT on the industry and bringing social issues in the spotlight through his films and more. Excerpts:

I am very happy to be in Kolkata. Though the vaccine is about to roll out, things will not get back to normal overnight. So, what we need to do is take good care of ourselves, always wear masks and use sanitisers.

When television was launched, people asked if that would take away from cinema’s craze. Now OTT is here. But cinema is cinema, you know. It is not just about watching a certain content and story. It is also about the experience of watching it collectively. So I think, OTT, cinema halls, television, radio — all of these will coexist.

My last three films (Mulk, Article 15 and Thappad) are also the most talked about films of my career and Thappad is my most favourite. Though it did not appear so, it was a very difficult film. In fact, all three were difficult because they were swimming against the tide, at least the perceived tide.

Mainstream cinema doesn’t talk much about the caste discrimination prevalent in our society. With Article 15, it turned into a mainstream conversation. Even kids from posh neighbourhoods started talking about it. Now, whenever a caste-based incident takes place in our country, they can relate to it.

Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government on Friday cancelled its order permitting 100 per cent occupancy in movie theatres and said the capacity shall be restricted to 50 per cent.

Days after allowing full capacity in cinemas following representations from the film industry, the government cited an advisory from the Centre and a petition in the Madras high court over the matter for revoking its decision.

Till further orders, occupancy shall be confined to 50 per cent in all kinds of cinemas, including single and multiple screen movie halls and multiplexes, the government said in an official release. The standard operating procedure (SOP) to prevent the spread of Coronavirus should be followed, it said.

The government, however, allowed theatres to screen additional shows as per a directive of the Madras high court and said the order would be in force with immediate effect.

On January 4, it had permitted 100 per cent seating capacity in cinema theatres and directed them to follow the SOP. The relaxation was given after owners of cinema halls made a representation to the government seeking its permission to allow full seating capacity. PTI

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At the inaugural ceremony of the 26th Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF) on Friday, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced that a notification will be issued allowing 100% occupancy in theatres, making the state the second after Tamil Nadu to allow the same. On 100% occupancy during KIFF screenings, Chakrabarty said, “Till we get the notification, we will have to go by the alternate seating arrangement. Those with guest cards will be allowed entry keeping in mind the hall capacity.”