Advertise on podcast: The Artists: Arts, Culture, and Cinema with Suchita Bhhatia

I am a HUGEEEE Tony Leung fan! What a great artist!And so, I wanted to take this opportunity to invite film scholar Mark Gallagher, author of Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, to explore a question I find fascinating: What separates a great artist from a good actor?Tony Leung has this extraordinary ability to say so much with so little. A fleeting expression, the smallest gesture, a pause, a look — and suddenly, he conveys the entire emotional spectrum of a scene. Yet he can also move effortlessly between comedy, action and deeply nuanced collaborations with filmmakers like Wong Kar-wai.If you’ve seen Chungking Express, Happy Together, Lust, Caution and so many of his other films, you’ll know what I mean.In this new episode of The Artists, Mark and I explore Tony Leung’s artistry through these three remarkable films and examine what makes his performances so compelling.If you’re an artist practising any art form, this is a must-watch conversation. And of course, if you’re an actor, this episode is a must-watch for you! The arts are interconnected, and there is so much we can learn about our own creative practice by studying the work of a great artist.Watch the full episode on YouTube and Spotify. Listen on Apple Podcasts.If you enjoy this conversation, like, share, subscribe and leave us a review. Follow @the.artistspodcast for more conversations exploring how extraordinary artists think and work.Film stills: Chungking Express (1994) and Happy Together (1997), directed by Wong Kar-wai. Images courtesy of Janus Films.

One of the best episodes of The Artists Podcast is back — this time in WATCH MODE. What does it take to become a better screenwriter? How do you develop your craft, find your own process, and write stories that connect with millions? In this deeply insightful conversation, Niren Bhatt, the screenwriter behind blockbusters including Stree 2 (which crossed ₹400 crore at the box office), Bala, Munjya and Bhediya, takes us inside the mind and process of a working writer. This is an episode to return to, revisit and learn from. Whether you’re an aspiring screenwriter, an established writer, a filmmaker or simply someone interested in the art of storytelling, there is something here for you. IN THIS CONVERSATION, WE DISCUSS: Writing is a thinking process: How does a writer think, and how do you find your own creative process? The purpose of writing: Maslow’s hierarchy, self-actualisation and the search for creative fulfilment. From theatre to screenwriting: What playwriting taught Niren about dialogue, scenes and storytelling. Learning the craft: Syd Field, Robert McKee — and the advice Niren received from Gulzar Saab. The writing process: Research, procrastination and knowing when to stop preparing and start writing. The first draft to the 15th: Why Stree 2 went through multiple drafts, and why rewriting is central to the craft. Script literacy and bouncing boards: Who should read your script, and why the right feedback matters. Rejection and self-doubt: The realities of a writer’s life and the importance of a supportive creative collaborator. Market research and algorithms: When analysis helps — and when it can become a trap. The anatomy of genre: What successful genre films get right, and what writers can learn from them. Every writer has a different process. This conversation may help you refine yours — or discover it. WATCH THE FULL EPISODE on YouTube and Spotify. Listen on Apple Podcasts. If this conversation helps you, like, share, subscribe and leave us a review. Follow @the.artistspodcast for more conversations exploring how extraordinary artists think and work.

HOW DO YOU BECOME A BETTER SCREENWRITER & THINKER?One of the most insightful episodes of The Artists Podcast — with Niren Bhatt, the writer behind blockbuster hits across genres, including Stree 2, Bala, Munjya and Bhediya.This is a masterclass in the craft of writing — from finding your process to surviving rejection, writer’s block and endless drafts.We get into:How writers think — and find their own processWhy writer’s block might be a mythFrom the first “vomit draft” to the 15th or 16th draftScript literacy, feedback and finding your writing circleRejection, imposter syndrome and mental healthGenre, market research and what successful producers get rightEvery writer has a different process. This conversation might help you refine yours — or discover it.WATCH MODE: For the first time, watch the full episode on YouTube and Spotify. Link in bio.If you’re a writer, filmmaker or storyteller, don’t miss this one.Like, share, subscribe and follow @the.artistspodcast for more conversations that go deeper into the minds and craft of extraordinary artists.

HOW DO YOU GET DISCOVERED AS AN ARTIST?Al Pacino was doing plays when Francis Ford Coppola saw him and fought to cast him as Michael Corleone in The Godfather — even when the studio wasn't convinced. Pacino's early footage didn't impress them either, until Coppola shot the restaurant scene that changed everything.The lesson? Put yourself out there. Keep showing up. You never know who's watching.Hear the full story with Lawrence Grobel on The Artists Podcast.Watch the full episode on YouTube & Spotify. Listen on Apple Podcasts.Like, share, subscribe & follow @the.artistspodcast.

THE ARTISTIC INTEGRITY OF AL PACINO Al Pacino was offered $17 million — and walked away. Why would one of the greatest actors of his generation turn down that kind of money? What does this reveal about Pacino’s relationship with his craft, his choices and the kind of artist he wanted to become? In this clip, Lawrence Grobel — longtime close friend of Al Pacino, acclaimed journalist and author of Al Pacino and Conversations with Brando — shares the story behind Pacino’s decision. Watch the full conversation on YouTube & Spotify. Listen on Apple Podcasts. Like, share, subscribe and follow @the.artistspodcast for more conversations about great artists, cinema and the ideas behind their work.

Al Pacino became one of the greatest artists of his generation. But why?What qualities did he hone that others missed? Was it resilience? Confidence? Instinct?Perhaps surprisingly, Pacino was full of self-doubt. But he had something else: an openness to choosing the right scripts, the right directors, and allowing each collaboration to shape him as an artist.And then there is Marlon Brando.Both legends. Both in The Godfather. But how different were they as artists? What did each bring to the craft — and what made their approaches so distinct?And most importantly: which 3 Al Pacino films should every Gen X watch?We explore all this and more with Lawrence Grobel — a longtime close friend of Al Pacino, acclaimed journalist and New York Times bestselling author, who spent more than 25 years in conversation with Pacino and has written extensively about some of the greatest artists of our time.Watch the full episode now on YouTube & Spotify. Listen on Apple Podcasts.Follow our insta@ the.artistspodcast #TheArtistsPodcast #AlPacino #LawrenceGrobel #MarlonBrando #TheGodfather #Cinema #Film #Actors #GenX #GreatArtists

Al Pacino Was Full of Self-Doubt | The Making of a Great ArtistAl Pacino was full of self-doubt — and almost wasn't cast in The Godfather.Why was Pacino almost rejected for the role that would change his life? What was his equation with Marlon Brando? What influenced the trajectory of his career the most? And what qualities — beyond talent — made him a great artist?This and much more in this fascinating episode with Lawrence Grobel, the legendary interviewer, writer and author who has spent decades in conversation with some of the most extraordinary artists of our time.Grobel has written more than 25 books and has interviewed and spent time with icons including Al Pacino, Marlon Brando, Barbra Streisand and Dolly Parton. His conversations with Pacino began in 1979 and continued for more than 25 years, eventually becoming the book Al Pacino: In Conversation with Lawrence Grobel.In this conversation, we explore:Al Pacino and self-doubtWhat was happening beneath the confidence of one of cinema's greatest actors?Why Pacino was almost rejected for The GodfatherHow did he end up becoming Michael Corleone?Pacino and Marlon BrandoTheir relationship, their contrasting personalities and the extraordinary legacy they created together.What shaped Pacino's careerThe people, choices and experiences that influenced his trajectory as an artist.What makes Al Pacino a great artist?Talent, instinct, discipline, vulnerability — and his relentless commitment to the craft.The artist behind the iconWhat can we learn from Pacino about artistic life, doubt and longevity?We also pay tribute to Dolly Parton, another extraordinary artist Grobel has known and interviewed, and hear some of his remarkable stories from a lifetime spent in conversation with great artists.Watch the full episode on YouTube & Spotify.Listen on Apple Podcasts.If you enjoyed this conversation, please subscribe, rate and review The Artists Podcast. It helps us continue bringing you conversations with extraordinary artists and thinkers.Instagram: @the.artistspodcast Like. Share. Subscribe

WHAT MAKES AL PACINO A GREAT ARTIST? It wasn't confidence. Al Pacino was full of self-doubt. And yet, he became one of the most extraordinary actors of his generation. In this new episode of The Artists Podcast, we explore the making of Al Pacino with Lawrence Grobel—acclaimed author and journalist who has known and interviewed some of the greatest artists of our time, including Al Pacino and Marlon Brando, and has written more than 25 books. Why was Pacino almost not cast in The Godfather?What was happening beneath the confidence we see on screen? From The Godfather and Scarface to Scent of a Woman and beyond, this is a conversation about the artist behind the icon. Episode dropping soon on YouTube & Spotify. Subscribe and stay tuned. Follow @the.artistspodcast for conversations about artists, cinema, creativity and the minds behind great work. #TheArtistsPodcast #AlPacino #LawrenceGrobel #TheGodfather #Scarface #ScentOfAWoman #Acting #Cinema #Film #Artists #Filmmaking #Actors #GreatArtists

What makes a great filmmaker? And what makes a culture capable of recognising great cinema? In this episode of The Artists Podcast, we explore the cinema, thinking and extraordinary legacy of Adoor Gopalakrishnan—one of India's most important filmmakers and a defining force in Malayalam cinema. A National Award-winning filmmaker whose films have travelled to and received recognition at major international festivals, Adoor developed a cinematic language entirely his own. His films are deeply attentive to human behaviour, silence, relationships, space and the inner lives of ordinary people.But Adoor's contribution extends beyond the films he made. We also look at the ecosystem he helped build through Chitralekha and the film-society movement—creating audiences for serious cinema, introducing viewers to world cinema and expanding the possibilities of what Indian cinema could be. Could this culture of film societies, film appreciation and informed audiences be one of the reasons Malayalam cinema continues to thrive as one of India's most vibrant film cultures? Joining us is V. K. Cherian—film writer, author, former film-society activist and media professional, whose engagement with Malayalam cinema began as a student through the Chitralekha Film Society in Thiruvananthapuram.Cherian has spent decades documenting India's film-society movement and the renaissance of Malayalam cinema, including through his books India's Film Society Movement: The Journey and its Impact and Noon Films and the Magical Renaissance of Malayalam Cinema.His first-hand experience of the Chitralekha movement offers a fascinating perspective not only on Adoor, but on the cultural ecosystem that helped audiences discover and value great cinema.Find V. K. Cherian and his work:www.vkcherian.in 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube🎧 Listen on Spotify🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts⭐ If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe, follow, rate and review The Artists Podcast. Your support helps us continue bringing you conversations with remarkable artists, filmmakers and thinkers. Follow us on Instagram: @the.artistspodcast #TheMagicOfAdoor #AdoorGopalakrishnan #TheArtistsPodcast #VKCherian #MalayalamCinema #IndianCinema #WorldCinema #AuteurCinema #FilmStudies #CinemaStudies #Cinephile #FilmPodcast #IndianFilmmakers #GenZ

How do you define a GREAT FILM? Three films by Adoor Gopalakrishnan that every Gen Z cinephile should watch. In this new episode of The Artists Podcast, we explore the cinema and thinking of one of India's most important filmmakers with V. K. Cherian—a journalist, film writer and author who has spent decades documenting Indian film culture. Cherian first encountered Adoor as a student through the Chitralekha Film Society in Thiruvananthapuram and has since written extensively on Adoor and the renaissance of Malayalam cinema. Adoor's cinema asks us to slow down and really look—at people, relationships, society, silence and the spaces between things. So if you're discovering Adoor for the first time, where should you begin? We have three films for you. Go deeper into the full conversation on The Artists Podcast. Dropping soon on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube — link in bio. Follow @the.artistspodcast for conversations about how great artists think, see and create. #TheArtistsPodcast #AdoorGopalakrishnan #Adoor #IndianCinema #MalayalamCinema #WorldCinema #FilmStudies #Cinephile #FilmPodcast #GenZ #AuteurCinema #Cinema

What makes a filmmaker an auteur? Is it a recognisable style—or a deeply personal way of seeing the world? In this new episode of The Artists Podcast, we explore the idea of the auteur through the extraordinary cinema of Pier Paolo Pasolini with Robert S. C. Gordon, a leading scholar of Pasolini and modern Italian culture. Pasolini brought poetry, literature, mythology, politics, religion and his own radical way of seeing into cinema—creating a visual language that was unmistakably his. So, what makes Pasolini an auteur? go deeper into the full conversation. The Cult of Pasolini | How Did Pasolini Think? Full episode on YouTube & Spotify.Listen on Apple Podcasts. Follow @the.artistspodcast #TheArtistsPodcast #Pasolini #PierPaoloPasolini #RobertGordon #AuteurCinema #AuteurTheory #ItalianCinema #CinemaStudies #FilmTheory #WorldCinema #Cinephile #FilmPodcast

Who was Pier Paolo Pasolini—and what made him one of the most fascinating, controversial, and uncompromising artists of the 20th century?A poet, filmmaker, writer, intellectual and provocateur, Pasolini approached cinema differently from almost anyone around him. He saw cinema as a "language of reality" and developed a visual grammar shaped by poetry, literature, painting, faces, landscapes, religion and politics.In this episode of The Artists Podcast, we explore how Pasolini thought, created and saw the world with Robert S. C. Gordon, Serena Professor of Italian at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of the British Academy. Gordon is one of the leading scholars of modern Italian literature and cinema, and has written extensively on Pasolini, including the influential study Pasolini: Forms of Subjectivity.What is the central theme of a great artist? How does childhood shape an artist's imagination? Why did Pasolini's lack of conventional film training allow him to develop such a distinctive cinematic language?We explore his relationship with Federico Fellini and Orson Welles, his "cinema of poetry," The Gospel According to St. Matthew, Oedipus Rex, his fascination with faces and landscapes, and the complicated relationship between intellectualism and artistic ego.And finally: Which Pasolini films should Gen Z watch today?This is a conversation about Pasolini—but also about what happens when an artist refuses to fit into the world around him.⏱️ 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube & Spotify 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts⭐ If you enjoy The Artists Podcast, please subscribe, follow, rate and review us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your support helps us continue bringing you deeper conversations, insights and artists. Follow us on Instagram: @the.artistspodcast #TheCultOfPasolini #Pasolini #PierPaoloPasolini #TheArtistsPodcast #ItalianCinema #WorldCinema #CinemaStudies #FilmTheory #AuteurCinema #Cinephile #FilmPodcast

Pier Paolo Pasolini remains one of cinema’s most fascinating contradictions: poet, filmmaker, writer, intellectual, provocateur—and an artist who refused to fit comfortably into any category. He approached cinema as a poet, not simply as a filmmaker. Without conventional film-school training, he developed a visual language entirely his own, drawing from literature, painting, mythology, religion, politics and the faces of people rarely given space on screen. He worked with—and around—some of the greats of Italian cinema, including Federico Fellini and Orson Welles, while creating films that could be as beautiful as they were disturbing and controversial. His life was as provocative as his cinema. His sexuality, politics and outspoken public persona repeatedly put him at odds with Italian society, while his violent death in 1975 remains surrounded by unanswered questions. Watch the episode to find out. Dropping Soon! Follow @the.artistspodcast #TheArtistsPodcast #Pasolini #PierPaoloPasolini #ItalianCinema #WorldCinema #FilmTheory #CinemaStudies #Cinephile #FilmPodcast #AuteurCinema #FilmHistory

The full watch episode is now available on YouTube & Spotify.🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts. What does it really take to make a great film? In this episode of The Artists Podcast, Suchita sits down with Siva Ananth—filmmaker, writer, director, producer of Thug Life, and one of Mani Ratnam's closest creative collaborators for over two decades. Together, they explore the creative process behind Thug Life, what it's like working alongside two legends—Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan—and why filmmaking is ultimately a collaborative art. This conversation also explores: The making of Thug LifeWorking with Mani Ratnam & Kamal HaasanWhy choosing the right collaborators can make or break a filmFilmmaking as a team sportSouth Indian cinema vs. Hindi cinemaLiterature, cinema, and the audienceThe rise of Marathi and Kannada cinemaThe qualities that define a great directorA thoughtful conversation on collaboration, creativity, leadership, and the craft of filmmaking. 🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube🎧 Stream the full episode on Spotify🍎 Listen on Apple Podcasts ⭐ If you enjoy our conversations, please subscribe, follow, and leave us a rating or review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your support helps us continue bringing you more conversations, insights, and artists. Follow us on Instagram: @the.artistspodcast

What does it take to build a great film? Is it vision, craft—or choosing the right collaborators?In Episode 165 of The Artists Podcast, Suchita sits down with Siva Ananth—filmmaker, writer, director, and producer of Thug Life, and a long-time creative collaborator of Mani Ratnam.Together, they explore:• The making of Thug Life• Collaborating with Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan• Why choosing the right collaborators can make or break a film• Filmmaking as a team sport• South Indian cinema vs. Hindi cinema• The relationship between literature, cinema, and audiences• The rise of Marathi and Kannada cinema• The qualities that define a great directorA thoughtful conversation on collaboration, creativity, and the craft of filmmaking.🎥 Full episode dropping on YouTube🎧 Full episode dropping on Spotify🍎 Listen on Apple PodcastsIf you enjoy the conversation, subscribe, follow, and leave us a rating or review. Your support helps us continue bringing conversations with filmmakers, artists, and creative thinkers from around the world.Follow us: @the.artistspodcastHashtags#TheArtistsPodcast #SivaAnanth #ThugLife #ManiRatnam #KamalHaasan #IndianCinema #SouthIndianCinema #Filmmaking #FilmPodcast #Cinema #Storytelling #CreativeCollaboration #ArtsAndCulture #FilmProducer #Director