Voicing Silence, a film production company founded by actor-director Suchendra Prasad and Suchitra Film Society, Bengaluru, is organizing a four-day retrospective of Suchendra’s body of work titled “Samagama.” The event begins on May 1 to mark Suchendra’s birthday and continues until May 4, screening six films written and directed by him, including “Prapaatha,” “Ekachakram” (Sanskrit), “Ekachara” (Kannada), “Sangdhigdha,” and “Maabvu Bevu.” Additionally, the event aims to celebrate every medium Suchendra has worked in for over three decades, including theatre, cinema, Sanskrit, and child rights. Theatre and film personalities, as well as Sanskrit scholars from Karnataka, will discuss, participate in activities, and organize events focusing on these topics.
Suchendra, who started his career in theatre in the early 90s, made his film debut in Girish Karnad’s “Kanooru Heggadithi” in 1999. This led him to switch between parallel cinema and theatre, working with directors like BV Karanth and DR Ankur. Despite financial struggles, he transitioned to commercial cinema, where he starred alongside stars like Malashri, Yash, and Darshan, and continued to thrive in parallel cinema with films like “Haggada Kone” and “Bettada Jeevi.”
Speaking from Ahmedabad, where his Sanskrit language full-length feature film “Ekachakram” was screened at the Ahmedabad International Film Festival 2025, Suchendra says he is humbled by “Samagama.” The event is organized by his colleagues and friends from theatre and cinema, Sanskrit scholars, and writers he has worked with during his professional journey. Suchendra expresses gratitude to Suchitra for providing their space and collaborating for this festival, stating that having them on board has made the event easier to organize.
Suchendra says he makes cinema because he is passionate about the issues it addresses, using the medium to communicate about child marriage, girl child education, land, and heritage. He worked as a media consultant with UNICEF (2008-2012) and directed documentaries about Child Rights Protection and UNDP (2016-18). During this tenure, he traveled extensively across Karnataka, observing burning issues in reality, which became a part of his screenplays.
Despite his films not bringing in significant box office returns, Suchendra says he is successful because he makes films despite knowing the genre goes against the tide. Every film of his is a result of five to 10 years of research. “Ekachakram,” while not commercially successful, garnered ample attention in the festival circuit. Suchendra says these stories will live on forever because they are unique. He is grateful to his colleagues in commercial cinema for offering him roles in their films, allowing him to put food on the table and make the kind of films he wants to.
Suchendra says his popularity in commercial cinema helps draw a certain crowd to watch his films. He is thankful to every colleague in this medium for giving him work in their films, allowing him to be noticed as a director after three decades in this medium. Numerous people have reached out to attend “Samagama,” and the event is also going virtual with limited seatings left. Suchendra says these stories have always existed with mainstream cinema, and there will always be an audience for every kind of film or story.
“Samagama,” May 1, at Suchitra Film Society, is open to all. Call 9663993186 (RSVP). Virtual access is available at Voicing Silence YouTube channel.
Reference : https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/a-four-day-retrospective-samagama-will-be-held-at-suchitra-film-society-where-actor-director-suchendra-prasads-films-will-be-screened/article69496817.ece
