“Writers are now finally getting their due“, says Kirti Kulhari

The first Himalayan Film Festival that was wrapped up today hosted a wide range of films from the Himalayan region also played host to enriching and informative in conversation sessions and master classes. The closing ceremony saw Actress Kirti Kulhari deliver a highly insightful and interactive session on the topic ‘Acting for the Camera’ after being honoured by the Secretary UT Ladakh, Information, Padma Angmo. The actress talked about a wide range of topics from her experience of doing theatre, her choice of films, about her journey so far as an actor.

Talking  of cinema and when asked to throw light on the socially relevant films she has done, Kirti says “Cinema is a very powerful medium to bring about change and that’s the reason I am doing what I’m doing. For me being an actor is all about bringing a change. As an actor I’m here to talk about things that matter to me and and about things what I feel matters for the greater good of the society. These are conversations we should have about different kinds of things. Most of my work talks about things that have either not been talked about or been ignored or suppressed. For me what’s important is that every individual, whether male or female is being empowered. The film ‘Pink’ for example is about consent . I know when I do a film like ‘Pink’, I know the impact it has, even if it makes 10 people think about the idea of consent, we have won. Every individual’s thinking matters.”

Also read: Ali Fazal lands Best Actor nomination in the Asia Content Awards by the Busan International Film Festival for his character of Ipsit Nair in Ray

Kulhari also talks about the rise in opportunities because of OTT.. “ I never got my due before OTT.  I’m very happy now to be here, at a time when so many new faces, such new talent is entering the industry.. not just actors but also directors, DOP’s and writers…”

Stressing more on writers she says “Writers are now finally getting their due. I’m from the industry but I know how we treat our writers. Writers are treated like shit.  We all keep saying things like content is King of the script etc but we don’t give them their due. It’s frustrating, annoying and it makes you very very angry because you are here to do something that you believe in.

And now with these changing times, they are finally getting their due, it’s high time.” Kirti Kulhari also visited PictureTime’s inflatable theatre where the films of the festival were screened. The closing ceremony comprised of the award ceremony for special competition section for short films and documentaries at the  festival to recognize talented film-makers in the Himalayan region. Ladakhi Shory film ‘Sekool’ directed by Stenzin Tankong won the award for best Screenplay.