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Rajkumar Hirani's IFFI Masterclass: Crafting Cinema
25 Nov, 2025
Summary
- Writing imagines emotion; editing experiences it, says Hirani.
- Film's soul is its theme; conflict is its essential oxygen.
- Editors hold unseen power to reshape a story's meaning.
Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani recently imparted valuable insights on filmmaking at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI). He explained that writing allows for imagined emotions, while editing brings those emotions to life. Hirani stressed the vital importance of a film's theme, calling it the soul, and conflict, the oxygen.
Hirani further elaborated on the distinct roles of writing and editing. While writing offers boundless creative freedom, editing introduces reality and shapes the narrative. He underscored that a story truly begins when a character has a deep desire, and conflict breathes life into the plot. The editor's influence is profound, capable of altering a story's direction significantly.
Collaborating with screenwriter Abhijat Joshi, Hirani discussed drawing from real-life experiences for authentic storytelling, citing examples from '3 Idiots'. They both agreed that genuine emotions and the collision of opposing, valid viewpoints are key to compelling cinema.
