Gautam  Sunder

Gautam Sunder

Digital Editor

Gautam Sunder is Digital Editor at The Hollywood Reporter India.

MORE FROM GAUTAM SUNDER

Shanthipriya and Anjali Sivaraman in 'Bad Girl,' Pasupathy in 'Bison' and Sarathkumar in 'Dude'
Insight

The Best Tamil Film Performances of 2025

A casteist politician; a mother and daughter's intertwined coming-of-age journeys; a father who wants to see his son win at all costs: Kollywood's best performances in 2025 came in the smaller slice-of-life outings

BY Gautam Sunder
Pradeep Ranganathan and Mamitha Baiju in 'Dude'; director Keerthiswaran on the sets of the film
Interviews

Filmmaker Keerthiswaran: 'Dude' Becomes a Hero's Journey Right From The Interval Scene

Debutant director Keerthiswaran unpacks the making of 'Dude,' why Pradeep Ranganthan was convinced to take on such an unconventional lead role, and what his next project is shaping out to be

BY Gautam Sunder
Pa. Ranjith's 'Sarpatta Parambarai'
Insight

THR India's 25 in 25: Punching Past Limits in 'Sarpatta Parambarai'

The Hollywood Reporter India picks the 25 best Indian films of the 21st century. In Pa. Ranjith's 'Sarpatta Parambarai,' bloodied gloves and broken dreams turned into an anthem of defiance in Tamil cinema 

BY Gautam Sunder
'Anbe Sivam'
Insight

THR India's 25 in 25: Why 'Anbe Sivam' Still Remains An Enduring Cult Classic 

The Hollywood Reporter India picks the 25 best Indian films of the 21st century. Two strangers find faith, friendship, and humanity on a rain-soaked journey in Sundar C's 'Anbe Sivam'.

BY Gautam Sunder
'Alaipayuthey'
Insight

THR India's 25 in 25: How 'Alaipayuthey' Changed The Language of Romance in Tamil Films Forever

The Hollywood Reporter India picks the 25 best Indian films of the 21st century. Directed by Mani Ratnam and starring R Madhavan and Shalini as leads, 'Alaipayuthey' would go on to redefine how romantic leads were characterised in Kollywood

BY Gautam Sunder
Focus groups can go a long way towards determining the final output of a project
Insight

Movie Test Screenings and Focus Groups In India: Do They Actually Help Filmmakers?

With 2025 proving rocky for films nationwide, the debate over test screenings intensifies, even though regional industries remain sceptical of the Bollywood approach.

BY Gautam Sunder
Images from the official studio tour of Game Of Thrones in Northern Ireland; the realme 15 Pro Game of Thrones limited edition smartphone
Insight

Wildin’ in Westeros: A 'Game of Thrones' Sojourn in Northern Ireland

Smartphone brand realme and Warner Bros. unveiled the result of their latest collaboration in Northern Ireland recently with a spectacular event that featured everything from dragons to direwolves.

BY Gautam Sunder
Diane Warren, Rika and A.R. Rahman
Interviews

'Exotic': A.R. Rahman, Diane Warren and Rika on Their 'Electric' Collaboration

The cross-cultural collaboration between rising pop sensation Rika, and A.R. Rahman and Diane Warren — who have multiple Oscars, Grammys, Golden Globes, and Emmys between them — has given rise to the track 'Exotic'

BY Gautam Sunder
Rukmini Vasanth in 'Kantara: Chapter 1'
Interviews

Rukmini Vasanth on 'Kantara: Chapter 1' and How Vyjayanthimala's 'Amrapali' Look Influenced Her Character

The 'Sapta Sagaradaache Ello' actress on giving it her all for the 'Kantara' prequel, her learnings from the Tamil film industry, and who she's working with next.

BY Gautam Sunder
A.R. Rahman and Hans Zimmer
Interviews

A. R. Rahman on 'Ramayana' Score and Hans Zimmer: 'The Beginnings Have Been Beautiful'

Composer A.R. Rahman on working with Hans Zimmer to create the music of 'Ramayana,' and his take on the hotly-debated use of AI in the creative space

BY Gautam Sunder
OfRo, Vengayo and Asal Kolaar
Interviews

The Rise and Rise of Tamil Rap

Fuelled by cyphers, cinema, and social media, Tamil rap is more than a moment — it’s a movement.

BY Gautam Sunder
Rajinikanth in 'Coolie'
Insight

'Coolie' Short Takes: Rajinikanth in Blistering Form in Lokesh Kanagaraj's Scrambled Actioner

Director Lokesh Kanagaraj doesn't achieve the desired result in 'Coolie,' but despite all the odds, a certain 74-year-old still somehow demands your attention

BY Gautam Sunder
Anirudh Ravichander
Interviews

'Coolie' Exclusive | Anirudh Ravichander: 'My Favourite Rajinikanth Songs are Composed By Deva Sir'

In an exclusive interview, composer Anirudh Ravichander discusses his almost-symbiotic equation with Lokesh Kanagaraj, how legendary Tamil music director Deva has inspired his compositions for Rajinikanth, and why AI is a tool to work with and not fear

BY Gautam Sunder
From L to R: Harini Sundararajan, Samyuktha Viswanathan, Sanjana Sarathy and Angelin B.
Interviews

Are Streaming Platforms Facilitating the Rise of the New-Age Tamil Heroine?

Kollywood’s new breed of heroines know the lines, the language, and the legacy — and they’re here to stay.

BY Gautam Sunder
Preity Mukundhan 
Interviews

Next Big Thing | Fast Times With Preity Mukundhan 

Most recently seen in the historical epic 'Kannappa,' Preity Mukundhan looks forward to a busy couple of years ahead across the regional film industries

BY Gautam Sunder
Kerry Condon attends the 'F1: The Movie' European Premiere at Cineworld Leicester Square on June 23, 2025 in London, England.
Interviews

‘F1’ Star Kerry Condon Interview: 'Brad Pitt's a Very In-The-Moment Actor'

Academy Award-nominated actor Kerry Condon talks about all things Formula 1, working with Brad Pitt, and when audiences can see her work with Martin McDonagh again.

BY Gautam Sunder
STR and Kamal Haasan in 'Thug Life'
Insight

10 Takeaways From ‘Thug Life’: Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam Serve Up An Indulgent Mess

In 'Thug Life,' what could have been an intriguing tale of betrayal, revenge and redemption is reduced to an indulgent mess that flits from marriages and miscarriages to mistresses and murders in the most maddening of fashions

BY Gautam Sunder
A.R. Rahman
Interviews

A. R. Rahman Interview: On ‘Thug Life’ And Reuniting With Mani Ratnam

Composer A.R. Rahman talks about working with Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan, and how he's been dealing with the ups and downs in his personal and professional life

BY Gautam Sunder
Pooja Hegde with Suriya in 'Retro'
Interviews

Pooja Hegde on 'Retro,' 'Jana Nayagan' And Betting on Herself

Actor Pooja Hegde talks about working with Suriya and Karthik Subbaraj, and being part of Vijay's last film

BY Gautam Sunder
Radhika Apte
Interviews

Radhika Apte Interview: On 'Sister Midnight,' 'Hunterr' And Why She Can't Watch Violent Films Anymore

Radhika Apte talks to us about her recent dark comedy 'Sister Midnight,' the re-release of 'Hunterrr' and what she thinks Indian audiences want today

BY Gautam Sunder