Human psychology is nothing but extremely weird, at one point we dread the unknown but at the same time, we can’t help but yearn for it. The curiosity of imagining the history that led to our existence seems to be inextinguishable. Almost hand-in-hand is the desire to imagine a world entirely different from ours, a fantastical place where the rules of our land
don’t apply. Cinema and filmmaking make this dream of ours come true.

In this episode of DC’s FlashBack, the guys discuss why historical/fantastical remain etched in our brains forever and why some are not quite able to hit the mark. The premier and ultimate example of this is the magnum opus Mughal-e-Azam. It remained synonymous with historical cinema for generations until there emerged a worthy successor: Jodha Akbar. Both
these films had a lot in common; their long durations, expensive budgets, lack of special effects and a pinch of realism that made them unforgettable.

Following their blueprints, the last few decades have seen an uproar in the fantasy and historical genre of films. Movies like Bahubali, Bajirao Mastani, Tanhaji and more have stood on the shoulders of their ancestors and done wonders. Some have made their mark and some didn’t, the hosts give reasons as to why that might be. Art-seekers and cinephiles cannot miss out on their passionate discussions and amazing enthusiasm.

Every age has its own personality, the age in which one learns to grow in this world obviously hits home the most. As the neverending days pass by, sometimes it is great fun to look back at the remnants from our time. They remind us of a different world, it is nostalgic, bittersweet and magical. Digital Commentary has launched a new show with the same idea. FlashBack, an Ankit Shukla Podcast, aims to take us through the world of old Bollywood and remind us of the films that shaped us.

The inaugural episode’s theme is based on the Action Films of the 90s. In the present era of heavily forced remakes and sequels, they talk about the original foundation of pure storytelling and charisma as exhibited by the likes of Agneepath, Andaaz Apna Apna Khalnayak and Shiva. Strange isn’t it? How the movies that now see a cult following didn’t even manage to make profits in their time. Such is the nature of time perhaps, the only
known key to longevity is in breaking the wall itself and doing something new.

It is not hard to miss the nostalgia as they speak about the films that made them into the people that they are now. Their passion is viscerally reflected as they analyse the factors that allowed these movies to become era-defining. This show is certainly hard to miss for all the cinephiles out there!

“Tu Beer Hai”, this dialogue from the iconic show TVF Pitchers had distinctive characters and every character proffered an extremely beautiful mirror of the prevailing society. One such character was Rajat Khanna aka Jaimini Pathak who disseminated the true meaning of a startup. Recently, in his interview, by Digital Commentary hosted by Shashi Mukherjee, he shared several opinions that he possesses whether political or of the industry and elaborated his views on the prevailing society of theatre.

He was a theatre artist long before he starred in the show. He is a successful entrepreneur of a theatre company called ‘Work Title’. The name as it sounds symbolises the pressure of the time when the name was originated. 

Jaimini Pathak was born in Andhra Pradesh, raised in Ajmer, and moved to Bombay for college. Fortunately, the school he was nurtured in, was quite significant towards theatre and allocated his inclined towards Theatre. Once he entered Mumbai and pursued his degree from Xaviers, he was exposed to several opportunities to work on his art and create a name of his own.

As he practised and performed several theatres acts all around the country, he was fortunate enough to form his own company and mark his essence worldwide. Sanjana Kapoor who immensely appreciated his art form helped in forming an appropriate dynamism and horizon he could work in.

His company broadcasted the prevailing issues of society and portrayed different opinions on various political elements of society. The one show that helped him prove his mettle was on Gandhi and establishment of an opinion that was unusual at that point in time. It helped spread awareness and different side to the story that was commonly being depicted in the industry.

He has accomplished to form an identity in the industry and signifies the art form of theatre and wishes to spread his love for the form worldwide.

Has the lockdown served you with boredom? Are you looking for a new web series/movies to watch? Well, here’s a retreat, Digital Commentary‘s new initiative “The Audio Feed” is here with delightful movie and show recommendations and reviews.

Aarya, the fabulous come back for Sushmita Sen is all set to take you on a thriller ride available on Disney Hotstar. The series features nine episodes of one hour each and presents a story of a woman who belongs to a royal family of Rajasthan who happens to deal with illegal drugs and dragged her husband into it too. Due to the inconvenient circumstances, the husband is killed and she is made to take over the business all on her own.

Penguin is a Tamil movie that got featured on Amazon Prime quite recently starring the phenomenally talented actor Keerthy Suresh who is known for her miraculous performances in the South industry. The honest review of this film has revealed myriad of its qualities along with the mistakes that the film presented.

Another review that has caught the attention of the audience is Kothanodi, an Assamese film, that has captured immense appreciation and has also been nominated and won for the best film, it features three stories that represent thriller, suspense in which all three of them broadcast a wide variety of crime thriller and engaging content.

Raghav Subbu has directed esteemed shows like Kota Factory, Hostel Daze and Fathers S01 and talks briefly about the exciting process of turning a mere idea into a visual delight of a show. Formerly, he tells, the advertising world fascinated him and he wanted to be a copywriter. However, after working briefly as a copywriter, he switched and started working with TVF as an assistant director and making shows and sketches for the channel. For young enthusiasts he suggests that persistence is the key in paving one’s way to their goal.

Further in the Digital Commentary interview, hosted by Kshitiz Sudhakar, he talks about his approach of directing a show, gives us a peep in the creation of Hostel Daze, tells us in detail about his amazing experience of directing Kota Factory, gives us a behind the scenes glimpse and a director’s perspective of the critically acclaimed show. He tells he believes in the blend of ‘art and entertainment’ in forming the skeleton of the show and it is preferably the thought line he works and directs on. He also believes in creation of all forms of content suiting different tastes of the audience.

Concluding the interview, he suggests some great movies for the audience, talks about the creative liberty of the directors of digital shows and presents his views on the impact of the pandemic in the field of filmmaking. Dive into the interview if you’re waiting for Kota Factory 2 and hear the director’s word on it.