DS Kannan urged students to draw from India’s vast heritage of mythology and folklore, using tales like Savitri and Satyavan, to shape powerful modern narratives such as Roja.

He broke down screenplay writing from an audience’s perspective, explaining how to pace stories effectively across formats, from quick 2-minute concepts to full-length 2-hour features.

Kannan emphasised hero-driven character arcs and distinct mannerisms, advising students to maintain character diaries to record real-life observations for richer storytelling.

The session included practical insights on crafting strong loglines, treatments, and pitching ideas to producers, along with tips on navigating collaborations with actors and industry professionals.

Encouraging students to read across genres and cultures, Kannan highlighted literature as an essential foundation for creativity and nuanced screenwriting.