Rajeev Siddhartha: Kinaare's Slow Pace Mirrors Life

Actor Rajeev Siddhartha is experiencing a significant career milestone with the upcoming premiere of his film 'Kinaare' at the Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF) on Friday, October 30. This marks the film's debut screening, shortly after its production wrapped in January of this year. Siddhartha shared his deep gratitude for this early recognition, emphasizing the strong belief the team held in the project's narrative.

The film's distinctive pacing and meditative quality have drawn comparisons to Iranian cinema, according to Siddhartha. He highlighted that 'Kinaare' eschews fast cuts and frantic action, instead favoring a simple story that unfolds with deliberate stillness and allows moments for reflection. This unhurried approach, he noted, resonates with his own experiences growing up in quieter, hill regions.

'Kinaare' also signifies Kirti Kulhari's first venture into film production, with her also starring in the lead role opposite Siddhartha. He praised Kulhari's command on set and her ability to balance her producing and acting duties. Siddhartha found their on-screen chemistry, portraying cousins, to be highly intuitive, allowing for the significant pauses and non-verbal communication that are crucial to the film's storytelling.

Reflecting on the unique atmosphere during the 17-18 day shoot outside Delhi, Siddhartha described it as magical. The immersive experience for the entire cast and crew contributed to a smooth production, where everyone was engrossed in bringing the story to life. He expressed a personal aspiration to produce films himself in the future.