Hindi
IBFA awards in Thailand on 9 June
MUMBAI: In its endeavour to cement the increasing global image of Bengali films, the organisers of the International Bangla Film Academy (IBFA) has decided to host its own award ceremony in Thailand from 9 to 11 June.
Touted as the most glittering award ceremony to be held for Bengali cinema, the award will be given in 19 categories, with films released between 1 January and 31 December 2011 coming under the scanner, an IBFA spokesperson said.
The best film nominations include critically acclaimed films like Baishe Shrabon, Icche, Noukadubi, Ranjana Ami ar Ashbona while actresses Konkona Sen Sharma (Iti Mrinalini), Raima Sen (Noukadubi), Sohini Sengupta (Icche) and Koel Mallick (Paglu) were among the nominees for best actor (female) category.
Among the male actor nominees are actor-turned-director Anjan Dutta, Jishu Sengupta, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Rudranil Ghoshand Sabyasachi Chakraborty.
Those nominated in the best director category are Anjan Dutta (Ranjana Ami ar Ashbona), Rituparno Ghosh (Noukadubi), Sandip Ray (Royal Bengal Rahasya), Anindya Bannerjee (Chaplin) and Shibuprasad Mukherjee (Icche).
The awards were originally scheduled to take place from 9 to 11 March but postponed to June due to the Bangkok bomb blasts and cancellation of Kingfisher flights.
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.
