The Artists: Arts, Culture, and Cinema with Suchita Bhhatia

We are HUGE Tony Leung fans! What a great artist!

We wanted to take this opportunity to bring film scholar Mark Gallagher, author of Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, to The Artists for a fascinating exploration of a question: 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 makes him such a compelling artist.

In this new episode of The Artists, Mark Gallagher and Suchita Bhhatia explore Tony Leung’s artistry through these three remarkable films, examining what makes his performances so extraordinary.

For artists across disciplines, this is a must-watch conversation. And of course, if you’re an actor, this episode is especially for you!

The arts are interconnected, and there is so much to 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. #theartistspodcast #tonyleung #chungkingexpress #lustcaution

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:

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Writing is a thinking process: How does a writer think, and how do you find your own creative process?

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The purpose of writing: Maslow’s hierarchy, self-actualisation and the search for creative fulfilment.

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From theatre to screenwriting: What playwriting taught Niren about dialogue, scenes and storytelling.

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Learning the craft: Syd Field, Robert McKee — and the advice Niren received from Gulzar Saab.

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The writing process: Research, procrastination and knowing when to stop preparing and start writing.

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The first draft to the 15th: Why Stree 2 went through multiple drafts, and why rewriting is central to the craft.

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Script literacy and bouncing boards: Who should read your script, and why the right feedback matters.

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Rejection and self-doubt: The realities of a writer’s life and the importance of a supportive creative collaborator.

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Market research and algorithms: When analysis helps — and when it can become a trap.

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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.

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#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.

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#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.⏱️

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#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!

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#TheArtistsPodcast #Pasolini #PierPaoloPasolini #ItalianCinema #WorldCinema #FilmTheory #CinemaStudies #Cinephile #FilmPodcast #AuteurCinema #FilmHistory

The full watch episode is now available on YouTube & Spotify.
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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 Life
• Working with Mani Ratnam & Kamal Haasan
• Why choosing the right collaborators can make or break a film
• Filmmaking as a team sport
• South Indian cinema vs. Hindi cinema
• Literature, cinema, and the audience
• The rise of Marathi and Kannada cinema
• The qualities that define a great director

A 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

Storytelling vs Storyliving.

Can a story be so immersive that you no longer watch it—you live it?

In this episode of The Artists Podcast, Vicki Dobbs Beck takes us behind one of the most groundbreaking immersive storytelling projects ever created: Alejandro G. Iñárritu's CARNE y ARENA (Virtually Present, Physically Invisible).

The experience became the first virtual reality work to receive a Special Academy Award (Oscar), recognizing it as a visionary new form of storytelling. Created in collaboration with Iñárritu, cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki, and ILMxLAB, it invited audiences to step into the lived experience of migrants crossing the U.S.–Mexico border, redefining what cinema could be.

As the former Vice President of Immersive Content Innovation at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Vicki Dobbs Beck shares the story behind its creation—and how immersive storytelling is changing the language of cinema itself.

If you're curious about where storytelling is headed, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

Watch on Spotify & Apple Podcasts and You tube

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#StorytellingVsStoryliving #VickiDobbsBeck #TheArtistsPodcast #CarneYArena #AlejandroGonzalezInarritu #ILM #ImmersiveStorytelling #VirtualReality #XR #Cinema #FutureOfStorytelling #Filmmaking #AI #CreativeTechnology

What happens when storytelling moves beyond the screen?When does an audience stop watching a story—and start living inside it?In this episode of The Artists Podcast, we are joined by Vicki Dobbs Beck, one of the pioneers of immersive storytelling.As the former Vice President of Immersive Content Innovation at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Vicki has helped shape groundbreaking experiences across Disney, Lucasfilm, Marvel, and emerging technologies, while collaborating with leading technology companies including Meta. Recognized by Variety as a Digital Innovator to Watch, she has spent her career exploring the intersection of storytelling, technology, and human experience.Together, we explore one of the defining questions of our time:How do we move from storytelling to storyliving?What is the fundamental difference between the way Hollywood studios and technology companies think? How will AI, XR, spatial computing, and immersive media reshape the future of narrative? And what does it mean to build stories that audiences don't just watch—but inhabit?Whether you're a filmmaker, storyteller, technologist, creative entrepreneur, or simply curious about the future of entertainment, this conversation offers a rare glimpse into where storytelling is headed.⏱️ Chapters01:41 Storytelling vs Storyliving07:00 The fundamental difference between how a studio and a tech company approach storytelling09:30 How do technology companies think?10:20 Why finding original stories is becoming increasingly difficult11:20 Working with Alejandro G. Iñárritu 18:50 Why filmmakers must think like transmedia storytellers21:05 Vader Immortal: Experiencing Star Wars beyond the film24:11 What If...? and storytelling for Apple Vision Pro26:00 Building stories across multiple platforms 29:42 The evolution of immersive storytelling37:23 Leading from the front as a female leader🎥 Subscribe to The Artists Podcast for conversations with filmmakers, artists, authors, creators, and cultural thinkers exploring creativity, storytelling, cinema, technology, and the future of art.🎧 Also dropping on:• YouTube• Spotify• Apple Podcasts⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review us on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. Your support helps us continue bringing you more conversations, insights, and artists.Follow us:Instagram: @the.artistspodcast

How Do Studios & Tech Companies Think Differently?

On this new episode of The Artists Podcast, we're joined by Vicki Dobbs Beck—one of the pioneers shaping the future of immersive storytelling.

Formerly Vice President of Immersive Content Innovation at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Vicki has helped lead groundbreaking storytelling initiatives across Disney, Lucasfilm, Marvel, and collaborated with Meta to explore the future of immersive media. Variety recognized her as a "Digital Innovator to Watch" for her contributions at the intersection of entertainment and technology.

Together, we explore one of the defining questions for the future of storytelling.

YouTube
Spotify
Apple Podcasts

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#TheArtistsPodcast #VickiDobbsBeck #IndustrialLightMagic #ILM #Disney #Marvel #Meta #Storytelling #FutureOfStorytelling #ImmersiveStorytelling #ExtendedReality #XR #VirtualProduction #ArtificialIntelligence #CreativeTechnology #Filmmaking #Cinema #Innovation #Hollywood #Tech

Dropping soon

In this episode of The Artists Podcast, we dive deep into the mind of David Lynch with acclaimed film scholar Todd McGowan — author of The Impossible David Lynch, a provocative exploration of Lynch’s cinematic language and the impossible, unconscious core of his films.Lynch occupies a rare space between mainstream visibility and independent cinema authenticity — blending the bizarre and the normal, the dreamlike and the narrative, to create films that defy conventional categorization. Whether you’re a filmmaker, cinephile, or lover of the strange, this episode reveals how Lynch thinks — and why his cinema continues to challenge and captivate global audiences.Subscribe @suchita_filmmaker_podcaster to stay tuned.#TheArtistsPodcast #DavidLynch #ToddMcGowan #TheImpossibleDavidLynch #FilmTheory #CinemaStudies #IndependentCinema #MainstreamCinema #SurrealCinema #PsychoanalyticFilm #AuteurCinema #FilmScholar #WatchEpisode #YouTubePodcast #FilmDiscussion #Cinephile #MovieTalk #FilmAnalysis