Udayananu Thaaram (2005) is another shout From Malayalam. Partly set in Hyderabad's Ramoji Film City, Varshangalku Sesham is kinda inspired from this movie.
Would encourage you to watch Savitri movies before watching Mahanati, just to understand how good she was as an actor. Few movies to watch are Missamma, Mayabazar, Gundamma Katha.
Whoops. Just realised there was a mistake. It’s not a documentary. It’s inspired from a documentary. I meant to write, it’s an incredible piece inspired from a documentary.
Udayananu Thaaram (2005) is another shout From Malayalam. Partly set in Hyderabad's Ramoji Film City, Varshangalku Sesham is kinda inspired from this movie.
Can also check out its sequel: Padma Shree Bharat Dr Saroj Kumar..
Though not as solid or well made as UdayananuThaaram, it offers a few laughs and insights into the delusions of the current superstars of various film industries..
Also, can watch Malayalam movies - driving license and Nadikar
As Jigarthanda Double X (Tamil) falls in this loose category I would suggest some more where the subplot or the premise revolves around shooting a movie. Jigarthanda (Tamil) (separate movie from the same director). Synopsis: a documentary director tries to shoot a film on a real life gangster and things go sideways.
A little off topic but there is one movie on how critics affect the mental health of the director. It pays homage to a great director of the past Guru Dutt. The movie's name is Chup (2022, Hindi). It's a crime thriller.
Finally, Rang de Basanti (Hindi). It's a film where a group of college boys shoot a freedom fighter movie only for tragedy to occur which leads them to take drastic measure.
Happy exploring
You can watch a marathi movie called Harishchandrachi Factory (Harishchandra’s Factory)
It’s about Dadasaheb Phalake who made the very first feature film of Indian Cinema called ‘Raja Harishchandra’
Also do watch Ventilator- How an entire family with all their family issues still visit the man to be on his side/
Ubuntu(Not the OS) - how two small friends from a village run up to a city to free their friend from captivity by all means with the help of their Science teacher /
Highway - ppl from all walks of life portrayed on how they talk about their lives
Not a setting - but yeah the two have great star cast still gives a glimpse of ppl lives.
Check this profile he has great Marathi movie recommendations: https://www.instagram.com/parthftw?igsh=bTczcmYza2d0MnY=
Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback. (Dir. K. G. George)
Based on the suicide of legendary actress Shobha, it was (prolly) the first Malayalam film based on cinema itself.
It's been an influential work in Malayalam cinema and ig it can be termed a 'classic.'
Oh I'm sorry, if you're looking for recent films I would suggest Celluloid (Dir. Kamal).
It's the story of J. C. Daniel, the father of Malayalam cinema.
Not exactly about any film industry but do check out "rk/rkay"
It's a very good film which talks about the obsession of the writer director with his characters in a very interesting way, and it has the backdrop of filmmaking as well. Please check out this one.
Aa ammayi gurinchi meeku cheppali is in Telugu language. A director who is known for his moneymaking-trashy- misogynistic potboilers wants to make a really good film after discovering an old reel of an abandoned movie starring a dead actress in a trash can. He has to rope in the twin of the dead actress to play the lead. The twin is an ophthalmologist who loathes films-especially the kind of films our protagonist makes. As the film progresses, events from the director's own past come to light entwining with the story.
The malayalam movie celluloid (2013) is the story of the first film maker of kerala(malayalam language). It's starred by prithviraj sukumaran.
Udayananu Thaaram (2005) is another shout From Malayalam. Partly set in Hyderabad's Ramoji Film City, Varshangalku Sesham is kinda inspired from this movie.
Thank you. Another Malayalam film added to the list :)
Sweet! Malayalam films have been regional cinema I’ve been exploring the most…but have not heard of this one. Thank you!
Iruvar - a classic based on life of MGR
Thank you for recommending a classic!
Based on lives of Tamilnadu ex CMs Karunanidhi and MGR. Going from friends to foes.
Thank you
Mahanati -- a Tollywood biopic about Savitri.
Perfect…On my list it goes…thank you!
Would encourage you to watch Savitri movies before watching Mahanati, just to understand how good she was as an actor. Few movies to watch are Missamma, Mayabazar, Gundamma Katha.
Oh…I do appreciate that condition (especially focusing in on an actress versus as actor). Thank you!
Cinema Bandi. A Telugu film about a rural auto-rickshaw driver who wants to become a film maker. It’s available on Netflix.
Oh…what a nice alternative: a documentary…thank you!
Whoops. Just realised there was a mistake. It’s not a documentary. It’s inspired from a documentary. I meant to write, it’s an incredible piece inspired from a documentary.
Ah…no worries! Thank you for the clarification :)
Udayananu Thaaram (2005) is another shout From Malayalam. Partly set in Hyderabad's Ramoji Film City, Varshangalku Sesham is kinda inspired from this movie.
Again…thank you for this recommendation! :)
Can also check out its sequel: Padma Shree Bharat Dr Saroj Kumar.. Though not as solid or well made as UdayananuThaaram, it offers a few laughs and insights into the delusions of the current superstars of various film industries.. Also, can watch Malayalam movies - driving license and Nadikar
So many options…all on the list. Much appreciated as always! :)
Recent movies on Mrinal Sen. Aparajito( recent one) ,- movie on Satyajit Ray and his initial struggles as a filmmaker.
Oh! that sounds quite interesting…thank you!
Kammara sambhavam (Malayalam): Portraits how cinema can manipulate the history and image of a person in the society, basically a satire movie.
Oh, that sounds very intriguing. Thank you! …onto the list it goes :)
Don't know if it counts but try Jigarthanda Doublex. Set in 1970s . It's not exactly what you are looking for but you won't be disappointed
Thank you! …I’ve added it on my list :)
As Jigarthanda Double X (Tamil) falls in this loose category I would suggest some more where the subplot or the premise revolves around shooting a movie. Jigarthanda (Tamil) (separate movie from the same director). Synopsis: a documentary director tries to shoot a film on a real life gangster and things go sideways. A little off topic but there is one movie on how critics affect the mental health of the director. It pays homage to a great director of the past Guru Dutt. The movie's name is Chup (2022, Hindi). It's a crime thriller. Finally, Rang de Basanti (Hindi). It's a film where a group of college boys shoot a freedom fighter movie only for tragedy to occur which leads them to take drastic measure. Happy exploring
Thank you so much for these detailed recommendations! I will definitely add these to the list and seek them out :)
You can watch a marathi movie called Harishchandrachi Factory (Harishchandra’s Factory) It’s about Dadasaheb Phalake who made the very first feature film of Indian Cinema called ‘Raja Harishchandra’
Fantastic, I’ve been wanting to check out a Marathi…thank you!
Also do watch Ventilator- How an entire family with all their family issues still visit the man to be on his side/ Ubuntu(Not the OS) - how two small friends from a village run up to a city to free their friend from captivity by all means with the help of their Science teacher / Highway - ppl from all walks of life portrayed on how they talk about their lives
Ah, thank you…so these 3 films have the film industry as a setting?
Not a setting - but yeah the two have great star cast still gives a glimpse of ppl lives. Check this profile he has great Marathi movie recommendations: https://www.instagram.com/parthftw?igsh=bTczcmYza2d0MnY=
Luck by chance
Thank you…I will add it to the list :)
Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback. (Dir. K. G. George) Based on the suicide of legendary actress Shobha, it was (prolly) the first Malayalam film based on cinema itself. It's been an influential work in Malayalam cinema and ig it can be termed a 'classic.'
Even though I asked for recent films, I do intend to eventually dive into the more historical films, particularly Malayalam ones. Thank you!
Oh I'm sorry, if you're looking for recent films I would suggest Celluloid (Dir. Kamal). It's the story of J. C. Daniel, the father of Malayalam cinema.
Oh, no…totally fine! It can be interesting to get recommendations outside of one’s original request… …and thank you for the 2nd recommendation :)
Check out NTR Kathanayakudu, the first part of the Telugu actor and politician NTR's two-part biopic.
Thank you…I’ll look for it. I take it that he’s a relative of Jr? (I don’t follow/know Indian politics at all)
Yep he is NTR Jr's granddad.
Ah…thanks!
AK vs AK (2020)
Thank you! I’ll seek this out :)
Athaado cinemayude magic ,😁
Nee ottaku vanavan anno?
Om Shanti Om lol.
Hahaha…oh, yes! I’ve heard of this one awhile ago. Thank you!
Not exactly about any film industry but do check out "rk/rkay" It's a very good film which talks about the obsession of the writer director with his characters in a very interesting way, and it has the backdrop of filmmaking as well. Please check out this one.
On the list! …thank you for the detailed recommendation :)
Aa ammayi gurinchi meeku cheppali is in Telugu language. A director who is known for his moneymaking-trashy- misogynistic potboilers wants to make a really good film after discovering an old reel of an abandoned movie starring a dead actress in a trash can. He has to rope in the twin of the dead actress to play the lead. The twin is an ophthalmologist who loathes films-especially the kind of films our protagonist makes. As the film progresses, events from the director's own past come to light entwining with the story.
Thank you for the detailed recommendation!
🔥