India, April 11 -- Breaking free from society's norms and expectations in real life is not enough. Our cinema also needs to be free from the usual rules. Unlike conventional movies that follow structures, predictable character arcs, and mainstream themes, experimental films thrive on bold ideas, unusual narratives and never-before-seen techniques. These movies challenge the audience to think, see and feel beyond what is shown. It breaks free from the shackles of commercial entertainment where protagonists enjoy a happy ending. South Indian cinema seemed to have cracked the code at carving a powerful space in the experimental and unique films sub-genre.

Over the years, filmmakers across Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada cinema have pu...