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The Hindu
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Filmmaker Sidharth Harikumar on ‘Vasu' being selected as a finalist at the Student Academy Awards 2025
While exploring the German capital of Berlin, where he was a postgraduate student in cinematography at the MetFilm School, filmmaker Sidharth Harikumar often sensed a weight in the air, shadowed by the memory of the Holocaust. He experienced this in public transport and museums. He came across multiple photos with Nazi soldiers holding a gun to someone's head, forcing Sidharth to contemplate whether the soldiers questioned their actions or their superiors. This thought led Sidharth to make Vasu as part of his final-year project at the MetFilm School. The short film tells the story of a retired police officer leading a secluded life in the woods as part of his final-year project at the MetFilm School. Vasu is one of the seven finalists nominated for the Student Academy Awards 2025 in the Narrative category. It is also the only film from India in the running across four categories —Alternative or Experimental, Animation, Documentary and Narrative. 'It is surreal. Vasu, being a student project, was made on a limited budget. This recognition has put us on the international map,' says Siddharth, who has also done the cinematography of the short. Also read: Malayalam short film 'Kovarty' explores romance between a typewriter and the typist 'I started by researching frontline workers and their trauma,' says Sidharth over a call from Chennai. 'I focussed on people in the uniformed services in Kerala who were coerced to follow their superiors' orders and how they lived with that guilt for the rest of their lives.' The 16-minute film explores Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) experienced by a retired police officer. 'Vasu's character is shaped by obedience and suppression of his emotions,' says Sidharth. Parameswaran Kuriyathi, 77, a renowned theatre artist from Manacaud, Thiruvananthapuram, plays the titular character. 'One of my family friends introduced me to him. When I met Parameswaran chettan, he had long hair and a moustache. He looked like a sadhu. He had not shaved in 30 years. And my first question to him was, 'Are you willing to shave it off?' Fortunately, he agreed after our first narration,' says Sidharth. The film was shot at Chitranjali Studio in Thiruvananthapuram, except for a few scenes shot in Peyad. Vasu treats the wilderness as a character. The plot and visual language aptly conveys a disturbing reality. Before he joined MetFilm School in London to pursue a master's in film direction, Sidharth finished his bachelor's in biotechnology. Soon after he finished his course in London, his father passed away, compelling him to take up the family business. 'My father supported my passion. He exposed me to good cinema at a young age. When I was 10, I used to watch movies that might be considered 'boring' at that age,' says Sidharth, who admits his love for legendary Malayalam director G Aravindan, sneaking into Vasu. 'I didn't think of cinema for five years. Then I worked on a project that rekindled my passion and made me want to study more,' says Sidharth. In 2023, he joined the MetFilm school in Berlin to pursue a master's in cinematography. Sidharth's previous work, Saffron Ash (2017), won Best Student Film at the Calcutta International Cult Film Festival (CICFF) in 2018. Much like Vasu, Saffron Ash centers on reflection, an unintentional creative choice by the maker. 'I have never thought about it that way. But I have learnt a lot by looking back, and maybe the next movie I do might not have such an element.' Sidharth is currently working on the screenplay of his debut feature. 'I received offers to teach at film schools before I got to know about the Student Oscar nominations. Maybe, it was a sign for me not to quit filmmaking yet.'
Time of India
24-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
How KIIFB is helping the fisheries & electric sectors flourish in Kerala
How KIIFB is helping the fisheries & electric sectors flourish in Kerala Minister Saji Cherian highlighted the significant development initiatives underway in the state's fisheries and cultural sectors. KIIFB has earmarked Rs 150 crore for renovating Chitranjali Studio. The Sree Narayana Guru Cultural Complex in Kollam, constructed at a cost of Rs 49.68 crore, has been inaugurated, alongside the V.T. Bhattathiripad Cultural Complex in Palakkad, which was built at a cost of Rs 68 crore. Additionally, theatres are being established in various districts. Saji Cherian, Minister for Fisheries, Culture and Youth Affairs The Fisheries Department has undertaken construction projects worth Rs 426 crore through KIIFB. This includes the initiation of 51 fish markets valued at Rs 142 crore. Other KIIFB-backed ventures include a fishing port costing Rs 139 crore, coastal protection projects, and the Punargeham project, which aims to build 400 houses in Valiyathura. Two fishing port projects worth Rs 139.38 crore were also launched during this period, along with six coastal protection projects valued at Rs 106.12 crore, which were approved for implementation through the Coastal Development Corporation. Funding allocations include Rs 112.22 crore for the Parappanangadi fishing port and Rs 97.43 crore for the Chetti fishing port project, both of which are currently under construction. The minister also emphasised the extensive cultural projects in Aranmula and other initiatives involving various academies. He further clarified that additional activities related to the fishing sector are in the pipeline. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Experience three trade fairs with just one ticket Undo automatica 2025 Undo Laser World of Photonics Undo World of Quantum Undo Visit automatica: June 24-27, Munich Undo K. Krishnankutty, Minister for Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty stated that Kerala is working towards achieving electricity self-sufficiency, with several projects currently underway. Addressing voltage shortages was prioritised, leading to the planning of 14 substations at a cost of Rs 718.79 crore. Of these, 12 have been completed, while construction on the remaining two is ongoing. KSEB has received Rs 1,862.51 crore in assistance through KIIFB for various initiatives, including the completion of stalled substations. Additionally, Rs 1,157.72 crore in KIIFB funds has been allocated for the construction of nine extra high-tension lines. The completion of the Trans Grid project is expected to reduce transmission losses by 520 million units, resulting in savings of Rs 250 crore. Development projects in the Chittoor constituency have also benefited from KIIFB assistance. The minister mentioned that a draft proposal has been submitted to secure KIIFB funding for electricity generation and distribution projects, including the expansion of hydroelectric facilities and the establishment of additional substations. Learn more about KIIFB here . Disclaimer - The above content is non-editorial, and TIL hereby disclaims any and all warranties, expressed or implied, relating to it, and does not guarantee, vouch for or necessarily endorse any of the content
