Kochi: Filmmakers Abhinav Sunder Nayak, Christo Tomy, Krishand and Indhu VS came together for a fireside chat titled ‘Real to Reel’ at the Summit of Future 2026, organised by Jain (Deemed-to-be) University. Moderated by filmmaker Ganesh Raj, the session offered insights into how deeply personal experiences influence contemporary Malayalam cinema.
Krishand spoke about his conscious effort to make cinema more accessible. “I made my feature film with a thought that stayed with me after my first film received recognition at IFFK. I realised that only the privileged were able to watch such films. I wanted my cinema to be more democratic and accessible to a wider audience,” he said.
Filmmaker Christo Tomy reflected on the personal experience that shaped his film Ullozhukku. “The film is a reflection of my own family. During the floods, we were trapped with my grandfather’s body after he passed away. That waiting period brought out frictions that were otherwise hidden,” he said. The experience led him to reflect on marriages within the Christian community. “As a man, I wanted to understand how women survive marriages they often enter with very little preparation or clarity,” he added.
Indhu VS spoke about the emotional trigger behind her film, recalling the impact of journalist Gowri Lankesh’s murder. “That incident affected me deeply. I was working on another script at the time, but this story replaced everything else naturally,” she said. She noted that she wanted to explore the narrative through the lens of an ordinary woman, someone who could even be perceived as non-political.
Abhinav Sunder Nayak, best known for Mukundan Unni Associates, shared reflections from his long journey as a filmmaker. “I have had many bitter experiences as an aspiring filmmaker from the age of 15. When I made my first film at 33, I wanted to prove to myself that karma does not exist. I found my closure through my art,” he said. He added that his current work, Mollywood Journey, is about finding closure for new questions and experiences.
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