Hindi
Documentary on Rat killers releasing 20 April
MUMBAI: Filmmaker Miriam Chandy Menacherry‘s documentary on rat killers titled The Rat Race is set to release in theatres on 20 April.
Said Menacherry, “The theatre release in India is an emotional moment for it is here in my own country that I want the film to be seen.”
The film is a true-life account of the city‘s rat killers. Every night as the rest of the city sleeps, young boys armed with torches and sticks set out to bring back 30 dead rats that are counted every morning. The rats are then disposed in the Deonar dumping ground where they are either incinerated or just dumped.
Dark, disturbing yet humourous, the entire film was shot over two years amidst the city‘s changing seasons and circumstances of rat killers. However, the filmmaker could not capture the happenings at the dumping ground as the unit was refused permission to shoot there.
The film has been made in such a way that it allows ex-supervisor Pest Control Department of Mumbai, BMC Behram Harda run through the film with a sort of narration.
Interestingly, Harda, who dreamt of becoming a Bollywood dancer when he was just 16, will see his dream come true with the release of the film.
The film is being released by PVR and Big Cinemas.
Hindi
Rajesh Ramaswamy exits The Script Room to focus on filmmaking journey
Ad filmmaker steps away from own venture to pursue direction and storytelling
MUMBAI: In a move that has caught the attention of the advertising and creative community, Rajesh Ramaswamy has announced his exit from The Script Room, the company he co-founded, marking the end of a seven-year stint at the helm.
The decision, which came into effect earlier this month, signals a shift in focus for Ramaswamy, who is now looking to immerse himself fully in filmmaking and direction as an independent creative.
Known for blending sharp advertising insight with storytelling craft, Ramaswamy has been instrumental in shaping The Script Room into a creative hub that delivered campaigns, branded content, and original storytelling formats. Over the years, the company collaborated with agencies, directors, and a wide network of writers, while also experimenting with formats such as short films and web series.
Sharing his thoughts on the transition, Ramaswamy indicated that the move is driven by a desire to focus and explore stories he has been developing over time. While he acknowledged the unconventional nature of stepping away from one’s own venture, he also framed it as a necessary leap toward clarity and creative pursuit.
Importantly, The Script Room will continue its operations with its current team and leadership, with Ramaswamy expressing confidence in the group that helped build the company’s identity. The studio, he noted, remains well-positioned to evolve further with fresh talent and ideas.
His exit also reflects a wider industry trend, where experienced advertising professionals are increasingly transitioning into independent filmmaking, tapping into the growing opportunities across digital and long-form content platforms.
As Ramaswamy steps into this new phase, the move underscores a familiar creative instinct, sometimes, the boldest ideas begin with a clean break.
