Hindi
Uday Shankar’s Kalpana to screen at Cannes
MUMBAI: Noted dancer Uday Shankar-directed Kalpana has been chosen to screen at the Cannes Film Festival this year as part of Cannes Classics.
The story of Kalpana revolves around a young dancer‘s dream of setting up an academy. It starred his wife Amala Shankar and him as leads and had the 17-year-old Padmini in her screen debut. The whole film was written at Uday Shankar‘s dance academy in Almorah that later became the hub of future artistes of India.
In 2009, the film process of digital restoration of Kalpana was taken up by NFAI in collaboration with France-based Thomson Foundation and in the next year was restored by the World Cinema Foundation of which Martin Scorsese happens to be a founding member.
The Cannes Classics 2012 programme includes 13 feature films, two shorts, a mini-concert and four documentaries. All these films will be world premieres. Some of the other films to be screened in this section are: Once Upon a time in America by Sergio Leone, Tess by Roman Polanski, Jaws by Steven Spielberg, The Ring by Alfred Hitchcock, Lawrence of Arabia by David Lean and Runaway Train by Andrei Konchalovsky.
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.
