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Devashish Makhija is arguably one of the most important voices in independent cinema in India today. His latest feature film Joram, produced by Zee Cinema, is set for a worldwide theatrical release on December 8, after a whirlwind global festival tour following its debut at the prestigious Rotterdam Film Festival.

In a no-holds-barred conversation, Devashish traces the genesis of his rage, the evolution of his voice as a filmmaker, the auto-censorship that is strangulating dissent today, and his profound relationship with poetry and music.

This, and a lot more, as we uncover the compulsions and contradictions that drive an all-consuming artistic pursuit, and the often tumultuous relationship between a true artist and his art.

Makhija's award-winning body of work includes feature films such as Bhonsle, (which fetched Manoj Bajpayee a national award), the much celebrated Ajji, and short films (Cycle, Cheepatakadumpa, Taandav, El'ayichi, Agli Baar (aka And then they came for me), Rahim Murge pe mat ro (aka Don't cry for Rahim LeCock), Absent, and Happy).

He is also an award winning author of adult, young adult and children's books. His latest book, We are the Dancing Forest, published by Tulika Publishers won the Honour Book Award at the Green Literature Festival. His novel, Oonga, won the 2021 Neev Book Award in the YA category. He is also the author of Forgetting, a collection of short stories, and children's books, When Ali became Bajrangbali and Why Paploo was Perplexed.

His anthology of poems 'Bewilderness' is slated for release next year.

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