Hindi
Viacom 18’s Cine Shorts returns with season 2
MUMBAI: With an aim to provide a platform to budding filmmakers with an opportunity to showcase their talent through a five-minute short film, Viacom 18 has launched the second season of Cine Shorts on 7 September.
Viacom 18 has also brought on board Inox as a partner on the Cine Shorts initiative.
The jury comprising director-producer David Dhawan, director Sriram Raghavan, Viacom18 Motion Pictures COO Ajit Andhare and cinematographer Ayananka Bose amongst others, will be evaluating the entries.
Andhare said, “This is an initiative that we at Viacom 18 Motion Picture (VMP) are very proud of. Our studio has been known to work with fresh talent and this endeavour allows us to add to the talent pool of the Indian film industry.”
Raghavan added, “We have a platform for singers on television and we have several dance reality shows – CineShorts is a platform for film makers. This is a stage for youngsters to showcase their talent, which may or may not have seen the light of day otherwise and I am glad to be a part of such an initiative.”
Expressing his views on the same, Dhawan said, “Comedy, especially romantic comedy is a tough genre to work on and I am looking forward to some exceptional short films that will not only strike a chord but also leave you in splits.”
Inox Leisure CEO Alok Tandon opined, “We are happy to be associated with Cine Shorts for the second year in a row. In a country, which is passionately excited about movies, this festival is an ideal platform for budding filmmakers to display their talent and be recognised. It also gives these filmmakers a stage to unleash their potential and creativity and showcase their filmmaking flair to the world.”
While the first season had the theme of ‘Fighting the Odds,’ the second season will now challenge participants to make a short film on the concept of ‘Falling in Love’ but with a twist.
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.
