Bhagyalakshmi has been the voice behind many a loved face on Malayalam screens. That’s her identity as well, but she is also an artist who has been working towards the growth of a healthy cinema culture in the State. In a talk with Onmanorama, she details what IFFK has stands for in Kerala today
Bond with IFFK
This is my 16th year at IFFK; I’ve been a regular here from the year 2000. Being a member of the Chalachita Academy organising committee, there was always quite a lot to do in this field. I not only enjoyed the whole experience, but learned from it too.
IFFK brought change
My perspective on cinema changed during the course of time I got to meet directors and technicians from other languages. The IFFK has a significant role in making our people take a growing culture of cinema in the State seriously. Earlier perceptions of cinema has gone through a drastic change; Malayalis despised cinema. Anything to do with cinema or the field was degraded constantly, but times have changed now. They’ve grown to be very accommodating, and it’s delightful to see them heap praises on films from across the globe.
IFFK this year
The festival this year has been a disciplined affair. The packages are interesting; I was part of the selection committee for Indian Cinema last year. It’s a gruelling process to watch hundreds of cinema and pick out the best ones to be featured at the festival. With new advancements in organizing the fest, there has been no complaints so far, and that’s a happy thing to note.
Running in Thiruvananthapuram, the 20th IFFK has come a far way off. From dilapidated theatres and cracking sounds to high-tech sound systems and grand theatres that could accommodate hundreds of delegates.
I’m sure by the next year, the number of delegates would go higher up, and for the festival, that is a sure sign of success.