Films “Su From So”, “Maliput Melodies” and “Biye Fiye Niye” Bring Diverse Regional Narratives to the Fore at the 56th IFFI
“Su From So” delivers a strong message against blind belief in superstitions
“Maliput Melodies” is a tribute to the stories, culture and people of rural Odisha
“Biye Fiye Niye” reflects the often-unspoken grey realities of Indian weddings and complex issues of urban middle-class
22 November 2025: The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) continued to celebrate India’s linguistic and cultural diversity with the screening of three regional feature films under the Indian Panorama Feature Films section: the Kannada film “Su From So”, the Odia film “Maliput Melodies”, and the Bengali feature “Biye Fiye Niye”. The directors and producers of the films addressed the media in press conferences held today in Goa.
Kannada Film “Su From So”: Addressing Superstition and Women’s Issues Through Humour
Director Prakash (Jp Tuminad) and actor Shaneel Gautham interacted with the media following the screening of their film “Su From So”.
Prakash, who comes from a Tulu theatre background and has written the screenplay himself, shared that the story draws heavily from his personal experiences. The central character, Ashoka, who pretends to be possessed, is inspired by a childhood friend. The filmmaker believes that blending serious social issues with elements of humour and entertainment helps connect better with audiences. Through its narrative, “Su From So” delivers a strong message against blind belief in superstitions, a concern Prakash has observed deeply in his own village. The film also raises questions about women’s safety and who bears responsibility for safeguarding them—families alone, or society at large.
Actor Shaneel Gautham, who plays the village hero Ravi Anna, emphasized that the film encourages viewers not to fall prey to superstitions. Prakash added that the screenplay carries stylistic influences from Malayalam cinema, which has significantly shaped his creative approach.
Odia Film “Maliput Melodies”: A Anthology of Stories from Rural Koraput
The Odia feature “Maliput Melodies”, directed by Vishal Patnaik and produced by Kaushik Das, was also screened today. Speaking at the press conference, Patnaik—who hails from Koraput district—said the film is a tribute to the stories, culture and people of rural Odisha. “We wanted to tell our stories,” he said, recounting how the idea evolved into an anthology based on narratives from Koraput. Except for Patnaik himself and music director Tosh Nanda, most crew members are newcomers to the industry. The film’s production spanned over two and a half years, during which untrained local actors were coached for their roles.
Producer Kaushik Das stated that the film, which was shot in remote villages with limited modern amenities, highlights local culture, food, landscapes and colloquial language, presenting rural life with warmth and humour. About 20% of the cast comes from theatre backgrounds, while all other actors are local villagers, he informed.
Bengali Film “Biye Fiye Niye”: A Contemporary Take on Urban Middle-Class Realities
The Bengali feature “Biye Fiye Niye” by director Neel Dutta—recent recipient of the Jury Prize at a film festival in France—was also showcased today. Joined by producer and veteran filmmaker Anjan Dutta, the team discussed the film’s unique collaborative origins.
Referring to French filmmaker François Truffaut’s belief that “films will be made by friends and watched by friends,” Neel Dutta shared that the story was written collectively by four friends: himself, lead actor Sawon Chakraborty, associate director Ushnak Basu, and line producer Arnab Ghosh. The script underwent multiple redrafts to authentically portray the lives of urban middle-class millennials.
Neel Dutta said that his generation remains underrepresented in contemporary Bangla cinema, and the film seamlessly explores modern complexities and taboos. Centred around the theme of marriage, “Biye Fiye Niye” reflects the often-unspoken grey realities of Indian weddings.
Producer Anjan Dutta, who is an acclaimed actor-director-musician, stated that he chose not to interfere in the filmmaking process, only offering financial support while allowing the young team full creative freedom. Having begun his career in a Mrinal Sen film and later turning to direction to move away from overtly commercial cinema, Anjan Dutta emphasized the importance of backing meaningful, realistic films. He added that many successful contemporary films in Bollywood are supported by veteran filmmakers, and urged established directors to produce the next generation of filmmakers.
