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Open Forum

Exploring Constructive Intelligence to Censorship

An engaging open forum was held on 15 December 2025 as part of the 30th IFFK, bringing together directors Gautam Ghosh and T. V. Chandran, along with film critics Premendra Majumdar, Aparajita Pujari, and Sridevi P. Aravind. The session, moderated by Jithin C., focused on the theme “How Constructive Intelligence Influences Contemporary Criticism.”

Gautam Ghosh expressed that constructive intelligence should not be seen as a threat; rather, it represents a phase in the ongoing development of cinema, comparable to the historical transition from black-and-white to color films.

Director T. V. Chandran added that the real challenge lies not in constructive intelligence itself, but in the absence of creative minds. “Good thoughts create good films,” he emphasized, highlighting the enduring importance of imagination and vision in filmmaking.

Aparajita Pujari compared constructive intelligence to a tiger that can be tamed, emphasizing the need for awareness of its potential and advocating a responsible approach to its use. Sridevi P. Aravind added that classic films, such as Battleship Potemkin, are products of human creative thought, and no artificial intelligence could ever replicate such works.

During the event, Gautam Ghosh presented the FIPRESCI Lifetime Achievement Award to T. V. Chandran, with FIPRESCI India President V. K. Joseph presiding. Ghosh praised Chandran’s films as rich and nuanced works that subtly explore social constraints. Director Kamal also spoke, and the session was attended by editor and translator Latika Padgaonkar, along with G. P. Ramachandran and Madhu Janardhanan. Additionally, Ghosh presented and released the book Ritwik Ghatak: Unyielding Visionary, edited by P. R. Balakrishnan, to T. V. Chandran.

Filmmakers at the forum also voiced concerns regarding the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s decision to exclude 19 films from screening at the IFFK. The session provided a thought-provoking discussion on the evolving interplay between technology, creativity, and critical discourse in contemporary cinema.