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FESTIVALS: CHESS MOVES AND SILENT TRUTHS

FESTIVALS: CHESS MOVES AND SILENT TRUTHS

by Editorial Desk June 24 2025, 12:00 am Estimated Reading Time: 3 mins, 22 secs

Amidst monsoon whispers over Versova, WIFF’s June showcase spotlighted brave short films—The Pawn of Marottichal and If—inspiring dialogue on language, identity, authenticity, and cinematic truth ahead of October’s festival. The #Newsdesk reports.

An Afternoon of Cinema and Conversation at WIFF Mumbai: Set against a mist‑laden Versova monsoon landscape, WIFF’s fourth June screening at Rangshila Theatre united storytellers, critics, and cultural figures in conversations around language politics, authentic representation, and powerful short films—The Pawn of Marottichal and If—underscoring the festival’s mission to champion inclusive, boundary‑pushing cinema ahead of its October debut.

On a cloudy monsoon afternoon, Friday the 20th of June 2025, a hushed anticipation filled the intimate space of Rangshila Theatre in Aram Nagar, Versova. As the rains softened Mumbai’s edges, the Waterfront Indie Film Festival (WIFF) continued its powerful march toward its October debut with its 4th Monthly Pre-Festival Screening and Networking Event, celebrating stories that challenge the mainstream, question the familiar, and stir the soul.

This time, two short films anchored the gathering: Kabeer Khurana’s The Pawn of Marottichal and Tathagata Ghosh’s If. While the Kolkata-based Ghosh could not attend, Kabeer Khurana introduced his film and engaged deeply with the audience. Stepping in for Ghosh during the panel was author, designer, and filmmaker Joy Bimal Roy, who brought his personal and political reflections into the conversation with warmth and gravitas.

Panel Discussion on Form, Truth & Social Reality

The post-screening panel discussion, moderated by WIFF Festival Director Deepa Gahlot, unfolded as an hour-long exploration of cinematic form, emotional truth, and social reality. While Khurana elaborated on his creative process, including how he discovered the real-life Kerala village that replaced alcoholism with chess, Joy Bimal Roy steered the dialogue toward the ongoing struggle for LGBTQIA+ acceptance in Indian society—even 25 years after Deepa Mehta’s Fire broke ground.

Authenticity vs. Accessibility became a recurring theme. Noted author Amborish Roychoudhury raised a sharp point about linguistic authenticity, referencing Khurana’s decision to make a film set in rural Kerala in Hindi. The filmmaker responded thoughtfully, citing both universalism and producer constraints, while also expressing his intention to remake the film in Malayalam as a feature. “Even Attenborough’s Gandhi was made in English,” Vinta Nanda, Editor of The Daily Eye, filmmaker and Co-founder WIFF, pointed out, sparking a layered conversation on language, global reach, and local roots.

Sound Design, Local Talent & Symbolism

Khurana also shared insights into his sound design choices, explaining how each major character had been assigned specific musical themes—not unlike the distinct movements of chess pieces they metaphorically represented. He emphasized how, apart from the lead actors, the cast was made up mostly of local talent, strengthening the film’s texture even as it was told in a different tongue.

Cinematography & Emotional Resonance in “If”  

In speaking about If, Joy Bimal Roy offered high praise for its sensitive cinematography, evocative imagery, and emotional resonance, asserting that the Bengali dialogue posed no barrier to understanding. “Even the subtitles weren’t necessary,” he remarked. “The performances, visuals, and music communicated the words spoken.” He reflected on how his father, the legendary Bimal Roy, made films whose core messages transcended language, stressing how meaningful storytelling always finds its audience.

WIFF: Beyond a Countdown to October

The gathering included several familiar names from the world of cinema and culture—cinematographer Raju Biswas, filmmaker Anupama Bose, impact specialist Rashmi Lamba, theatre personality Dolly Thakore and cinephile Aparajita Sinha among others. What began as a screening soon evolved into a collective reflection on identity, form, and the language of truth in storytelling. 

As the skies outside continued to drizzle and the conversations inside lingered well beyond closing, it became clear that WIFF is not simply counting down to its October launch. It is already cultivating a community of voices committed to cinema that matters.




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