Four women directors come together to explore love, loss, courage and self-discovery at the 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival
Bengaluru, NFAPost: As the 17th Bengaluru International Film Festival unfolds under the inspiring theme “Sthree endare ashte saake” (Being a woman is enough), drawn from the words of Rashtrakavi G S Shivarudrappa, one film that stood out for both its intent and execution was 4 by 4. The women-centric anthology, directed, produced and largely performed by women, was screened to an encouraging and emotionally engaged audience at the festival.
The film, comprising four distinct yet thematically interconnected stories, has been receiving an overwhelmingly positive response from viewers for its sensitive storytelling and strong performances. Members of the film’s creative team shared insights into the project during a press interaction held after the screening.
An Anthology of Women’s Inner Worlds
4 by 4 is a women-led anthology film that explores the inner emotional landscapes of women through narratives rooted in love, separation, dreams, resilience and transformation. Each of the four stories delves into different phases of life, portraying journeys of self-discovery shaped by sacrifice, courage and decisive action.
Rather than offering overt social commentary, the film chooses an intimate lens—capturing quiet moments of emotional reckoning and personal evolution. Together, the four narratives form a cohesive reflection on womanhood, agency and identity.
The four stories are directed by Thripti Kulkarni, Meghana Jagannath, Chitra Parameshwaran and Poojitha Prasad, marking a rare and significant collaboration of four women directors within Kannada cinema.
A Strong Ensemble Cast and Creative Team
The film features a powerful ensemble cast including Sudharani, Ranjani Raghavan, Lakshmi Gopalaswamy, Ithi Acharya, along with Rajesh Nataranga and Greeshma Sreedhar in key roles.
The visual language of the film is shaped by cinematographer Manohar Joshi, while the music is composed by Deepthi Navarathna, further strengthening the film’s predominantly women-driven creative identity.
Sudharani: A First-of-Its-Kind Collaboration
Veteran actor Sudharani expressed her happiness over the film’s screening at BIFFes and highlighted the significance of the project within the Kannada film industry.
“As far as I know, this is the first time in Kannada cinema that four women directors have come together to make a single film,” she said.
“The segment I acted in is titled Vibha. What makes this project even more special is that women have played key roles across departments—direction, music, production and performance. That is truly heartening.”
Her remarks resonated with the festival’s broader emphasis on celebrating women’s voices, both on and off screen.
Collective Effort Behind the Film
Producer Deepthi Murthy Iyer, actors Greeshma Sreedhar, Namitha Desai, Divyashree, Ankitha Jayaram, music director Deepthi Navarathna, and executive producers Malathi Murthy, Sumana Vishwanath and Preethi Shetty were also present at the press meet.
They emphasised that 4 by 4 was conceived as a collaborative space where women could tell stories on their own terms—without being constrained by conventional commercial formulas.
A Film Aligned with the Festival’s Spirit
The screening of 4 by 4 aligns seamlessly with BIFFes 2026’s thematic focus on women, representation and equality. In a festival edition that foregrounds women’s perspectives, the film stands out as both a creative and symbolic milestone for Kannada cinema.
With its thoughtful narratives, strong performances and all-women directorial vision, 4 by 4 has emerged as one of the festival’s most meaningful conversations—quietly asserting that when women tell their own stories, cinema becomes richer, deeper and more truthful.
