TheInterviewTimes.com | March 31, 2026 | 10:36 AM IST | New Delhi
TCOTF March chapter in Delhi highlights documentary cinema, community building, and inspiring story of RISUG scientist Sujoy Guha.
Article Summary
The March chapter of Talk Cinema On The Floor (TCOTF) in Delhi unfolded as far more than a routine screening—it became a compelling convergence of cinema, inquiry, and community. At the heart of the evening was documentary filmmaker Mithun Pramanik, who travelled from Kolkata to present his award-winning film The Scientist Who Runs at Night. Known for his patient, observational approach to storytelling, Pramanik brings a rare depth to non-fiction cinema, allowing real lives to reveal themselves with honesty and nuance. His film traces the extraordinary journey of Sujoy Kumar Guha, a Padma Shri awardee who has devoted over five decades to developing RISUG, a pioneering male contraceptive. Even in his eighties, Prof. Guha continues his research with unwavering commitment—embodying a quiet resilience that stands in stark contrast to the immediacy of our times. The film’s restrained yet powerful narrative not only highlights a remarkable scientific pursuit but also raises deeper questions about perseverance, recognition, and the unseen heroes of society.
A Room That Feels Like a Community
Held at Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts and Creativity (SACAC), the session began in a manner that has now become a defining feature of TCOTF—participants introducing themselves and sharing a recent cinematic moment.
What could have been a formality quickly turned into a gentle opening of perspectives. The room warmed up not through announcements, but through shared experiences—setting the tone for what followed.
Beyond a Discussion Platform
Welcoming the audience, NDFF Founder Ashish K Singh noted that this was the 8th chapter of TCOTF—a milestone that reflects both continuity and evolution.
Over the past months, TCOTF has gradually moved beyond being just a discussion forum. It is shaping into a space where ideas find collaborators, and conversations begin to take the form of creative possibilities.
Referring to his recent participation at a high-level roundtable during the International Film Festival Delhi, Singh underlined a key takeaway:
For Delhi to emerge as a serious cinema hub, there must be a meaningful convergence between policy, skilling, and the creative community.
TCOTF, in its own modest way, is attempting to contribute to that vision—at the grassroots.
A Film That Stays With You
The screening of The Scientist Who Runs at Night became the emotional and intellectual anchor of the session.
Rather than relying on dramatic highs, the film unfolds with patience—mirroring the life it documents. It invites the viewer not to consume, but to observe.
At its center is Sujoy Kumar Guha, whose decades-long pursuit of RISUG stands as a testament to scientific rigor and personal conviction. The film captures not just his work, but the rhythm of a life dedicated to a singular idea—often away from recognition, yet deeply impactful.
The Power of Silence
As the film ended, there was a noticeable pause in the room.
It was not the silence of disengagement, but of absorption. The kind that signals that something has settled within.
Audience responses reflected this. Many spoke about the importance of such deeply researched, real-life narratives in today’s fast-paced content ecosystem—stories that restore faith in perseverance and purpose.
A Decade Behind the Lens
In the post-screening interaction, Mithun Pramanik offered a glimpse into the making of the film—revealing that it took nearly ten years to come to fruition.
It was a journey marked by uncertainty, resource constraints, and long stretches of waiting. Yet, what sustained the process was a deep belief in the story.
Pramanik also acknowledged the support of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, which played a crucial role in helping complete the project.
Having spent years closely observing Prof. Guha, he spoke of him not just as a subject, but as “a true hero—someone who continues to work without noise, without expectation.”
Conversations That Open Up
The dialogue that followed moved organically—from filmmaking craft to personal reflections, from process to purpose.
Participants engaged actively, asking questions about the film’s approach, the ethics of documentary storytelling, and the realities of independent filmmaking.
Daljit Wadhwa, Founding Director of SACAC, described the film and its central figure as deeply inspiring, particularly for a generation often driven by immediacy.
Where It Continues
The formal session concluded with the felicitation of the filmmaker, but the evening itself did not end there.
Over tea, conversations resumed—more informal, yet equally meaningful.
New connections were formed, ideas were exchanged, and the filmmaker found himself surrounded by young aspirants eager to learn and engage.
This, perhaps, is where TCOTF reveals its true intent. It is not merely about watching films or hosting discussions. It is about creating a space where cinema becomes a reason to come together—and where that coming together slowly begins to shape a community.
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