top of page
The Communiqué News

Manoj Bajpayee: Making Waves at Berlin Film Festival 2024 with "The Fable" Premiere

  • 1 min read

The film is the only Indian submission competing in the festival's Encounters competition.


Swati Bhat



The film was shot during the pandemic, and Manoj stated that the team's optimism stayed strong even after the first shoot was halted three days into production.

Manoj looked great in a black tuxedo and matching jacket with a fur collar. The actor appeared on the Berlinale red carpet alongside The Fable's director Raam Reddy and cast members Deepak Dobriyal, Priyanka Bose, Tillotama Shome, and Hiral Sidhu. All of the cast members matched their attire with black.

"Stepping onto the red carpet at the Berlin International Film Festival, filled with pride and joy," the 54-year-old actor posted on Instagram, alongside a series of photos of his fellow cast members.



"I've been working on it with blood, sweat, and tears for quite some time. I've been in this small bubble; now I'm out in the world, and the film is going to be born. So I'm going to give birth to my child," director Raam Reddy's communique at BFF.





Exploring the Future of Cinema: Highlights from the Berlinale Co-Production Market 2024.

  • 2 min read

Three cash prizes and one non-cash prize were given to selected feature film ideas on Sunday during the Berlinale Co-Production Market (February 17th to 21st).

Over 370 films and 22 series that sought partners at the Berlinale Co-Production Market in recent years have already been finished.


Image credit: Official #BerlinaleCoProductionMarket2024 Eurimages Co-Production Development Award Ceremony of the Berlinale Co-Production Market 2024


The Eurimages Co-Production Development Award of 20,000 euros was granted to Ukrainian producers ForeFilms for their film Screaming Girl (director: Antonio Lukich). Eurimages, the European film funding organisation, will utilise the prize to help the production flourish. This year's jury included promotion representative Emma Scott (Screen Ireland, Ireland), world sales agent Oscar Alonso (Latido Films, Spain), and producer Uljana Kim from Lithuania (Studio Uljana Kim, Lithuania).

The VFF, a collecting society for film and television producers, annually sponsors a promising young talent project from the Talent Project Market, which is organised by the Berlinale Co-Production Market in collaboration with Berlinale Talents. The VFF Talent Highlight Award is worth 10,000 euros. Silence Sometimes (directed by Álvaro Robles) won this year's award. Producer Mireia Vilanova (Cartuna, USA) pitched the project. Producer and director Assel Aushakimova (Risk Pictures) of Kazakhstan and producer Liselotte Persson (Snowcloud) of Sweden received nomination prizes of 1,000 euros.

The ARTEKino International Award 2024 goes to Hungarian director Hajni Kis's production I am Marika, which was produced by Proton Cinema. ARTE honors an artistically outstanding initiative with this 6,000-euro prize.

For the second time, the World Cinema Fund Audience Strategies Award was given to a co-production market project from a WCF funding country; the producers of Seera Films from Germany, as well as director Fradique, will receive comprehensive advice on optimising the audience and communication strategies of their film Hold Time for Me.

At the 21st Berlinale Co-Production Market, producers from 34 selected feature film projects will connect with co-producers and financiers. Over 1,500 separate encounters with potentially relevant partners were scheduled and managed ahead of time, with over 600 participants in all.

Ten books for adaptation and ten new series proposals have also been chosen. They are the subject of the pitch events Books at Berlinale and Co-Pro Series.

The Berlinale 2024 will feature five outstanding films: Keyke Mahboobe Man (My Favourite Cake) by Maryam Moghaddam and Behtash Sanaeeha in competition, Arcadia by Yorgos Zois in Encounters, Quelle'estate con Irène (My Summer with Irène) by Carlo Sironi and Comme le feu (Who by Fire) by Philippe Lesage in Generation, and Oasis of Now by Chee Sum Chia in the Forum.

The Berlinale Co-Production Market is a Berlinale Pro* project of the Berlin International Film Festival, supported by the MDM - Central German Media Funding, the Creative Europe - MEDIA program of the European Union, and the Film Funding Agency (FFA). The Berlin House of Representatives serves as both the collaboration partner and the principal venue.








The Impact of 'Dashmi' on Bollywood: How Aisshwarya Anishka is Leading the Charge for Social Discourse

  • 2 min read

In a seismic shift within the Bollywood environment, 'Dashmi' emerges as a revolutionary force, powered by Aisshwarya Anishka's dazzling performance, stirring intense discussions on societal reform. Released on February 16th, 2024, this cinematic tour de force not only entertains but also challenges engrained norms, launching a new era of mindful filmmaking.


Set against the backdrop of a culture plagued by sexual assault, 'Dashmi' is a rallying cry for moral rebirth reminiscent of the fabled Ram Rajya. Since its release, the film has provoked heated debates, forcing audiences to confront hard facts and galvanizing demands for action.

Aisshwarya's rise to popularity demonstrates her tenacity and determination. Despite having no familial connections in the profession, she pursued her acting dreams while prioritising education, demonstrating her vision and commitment. Before making her film debut, Aisshwarya worked hard at the famed Barry John Acting Studio, where she was mentored by luminaries like Casting Director Jogi Mallang.

Her journey is marked by admiration for Bollywood icon Kareena Kapoor, whose influence pushed Aisshwarya toward her artistic destiny. From childhood emulation to steadfast ambition, Aisshwarya credits Kareena with influencing her path and strives to mimic her idol's renowned heritage while leaving her distinct impression on the profession.

'Dashmi' is a watershed moment in Bollywood, challenging conventional narratives and boosting marginalized voices. Aisshwarya's performance in the film has received critical acclaim, cementing her image as a rising star.

As Aisshwarya's star continues to rise, her narrative stands out as an example of endurance and vision. With 'Dashmi,' she not only solidifies her place in Bollywood's pantheon but also ushers in a new era of socially conscious cinema.

Aisshwarya Anishka's meteoric rise is inspiring, demonstrating cinema's transformative capacity to impact cultural change. With relentless commitment, she is paving the road for a more inclusive and contemplative Bollywood landscape.

In conclusion, 'Dashmi' transcends its cinematic limitations to become a catalyst for societal discourse, fueled by Aisshwarya Anishka's unwavering energy and artistic skill. As spectators wrestle with its significant issues, the film demonstrates storytelling's ongoing power to shape our collective psyche.




bottom of page