Biopics: Treading the fine line
The Hindu
How biopics especially about controversial figures can act as a double edged sword to both filmmakers and the viewers
“Even the most interesting person – if you are telling their life from beginning to end, it’s going to be a f***ing boring movie.”…is what Quentin Tarantino says of biopics, one of the two genres he dislikes.
Srinath Rajendran’s Kurup, which is based on Kerala’s most popular fugitive, Sukumara Kurup, did not suffer from boredom. It is a stylishly-made crime drama with its lead, Dulquer Salmaan, playing the eponymous protagonist with dazzling charisma and swagger. And, therein lies the issue with Kurup. Is it okay to glorify a real-life criminal on screen for the sake of entertainment?
For those of you unaware of the Sukumara Kurup story, he murdered a man to pull off an insurance fraud and got away. This happened in 1984. His continued evasion from the police slowly seared his name into Kerala’s pop culture.
Sustainability is not an add-on, but stamped firmly into the process: every piece is biodegradable, waste-free and unembellished, free from glitter or beads. “Products should be sustainable and biodegradable so that our planet is not harmed,” says Anu Elizabeth Alexander, a student of Sishya, Adyar. At a recent exhibition, the stars she made sold the fastest, followed by the small diamonds. “I would like people to know about the process, how it is created, and that it is sustainable,” says Anu. Infanta Leon from Kotturpuram developed an interest in crochet as a teenager. It was a hobbyhorse that evolved into a steed that would help her embark on a journey of identity-shaping creative engagement. She started making Christmas-themed decor two years ago, spurred by a desire to craft safe, eco-friendly toys for children. “With a toddler at home, and my elder child sensitive to synthetic materials, I wanted to create items that were gentle, durable and tactile,” she explains. Her earliest creations were small amigurumi toys which gradually evolved into ornaments that could adorn Christmas trees with warmth and charm.
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