Times of Bennett
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Cannes Best Director Screens Docudrama at Bennett

Published:February 29, 2024 at 04:45 PM3 min read
Cannes Best Director Screens Docudrama at Bennett
By Aryamaan Jit Singh Bawa

Bennett University recently played host to Aditya Bhasin, a prominent figure associated with mainstream cinema. Bhasin, who has been involved in directing since his college days, is known for his unwavering commitment to his unique cinematic vision.

Dr. Gauri D Chakroborty, Bhasin’s professor during his university days, organised an exclusive screening of "Pata Lapata," a film that earned the prestigious Best Film award at the Cannes Film Festival. The movie is a testament to Bhasin's dedication to his craft and his ability to bring compelling stories to the big screen. The event was managed and organised by Cineposium, Times School of Media’s film society.



A key collaborator in the making of "Pata Lapata" is Parth Saini, the music composer of the film. Saini, along with Bhasin, has been associated with Underdog Motion Pictures, creating a range of short films before venturing into music videos. The duo's creative journey also includes a non-fiction talk show titled "Behind the Bar.”

"Pata Lapata" stands out with its narrative focusing on four central characters navigating through different bastis and life situations. It is a unique docudrama for its addition of elements of satire and its portrayal of the ground reality of slum dwellers.

The film offers a uniue perspective of the characters through a unique use of narration and character representation, it also presents a poignant portrayal of human connections with a powerful messages.

As a viewer of the film myself, this quote from one of the characters touched me immensely paired with the swelling score by Saini "Insaan ki siraf insaan sunta hai sir, aur insaan ko siraf insaan hee help karta hai" (People only listen to people, and only people can help people).


The making of the film was an extensive process, involving four days of shooting, two months of in-depth research, six months of editing, and an additional two months for finalization. Notably, there was a deliberate one-month gap after filming, allowing the team to reflect on their experiences, look at their footage with fresh minds and refine the final product.

What adds a humanitarian touch to "Pata Lapata" is its association with the Lakshyam NGO. The film addresses social issues and provides a platform for meaningful storytelling, aligning with the NGO's mission to make a positive impact on society.

Bhasin's exclusive screening of "Pata Lapata" at Bennett University not only showcased the brilliance of the film but also offered a glimpse into the director's commitment to his unique sense of cinema and storytelling. The event provided a platform for the audience to appreciate the collaborative efforts of a dedicated team in bringing impactful narratives to the forefront.

(The writer is a Semester IV student of BA Journalism and Mass Communication program)


Tags
#Cannes#Best Director#Aditya Bhasin#Bennett University#Dr. Gauri D Chakroborty#Pata Lapata#Parth Saini#Behind the Bar#Underdog Motion Pictures#Times school of media

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