Ram Madhvani’s System 360: The Adolescence-Style Immersion Revolutionizing Cinema
Filmmaker *Ram Madhvani*, who has delivered some incredible cinematic moments through his projects like ‘Neerja’ and the recently released ‘*The Waking of a Nation*’, has developed a unique filmmaking style titled System 360.
The system that is developed by the director, a philosopher of cinema himself, is a masterclass in immersion, wherein viewers are pulled into the heart of the narrative, all thanks to unbroken, fluid takes that the system entails. Like how certain contemporary storytelling thrives on raw, unfiltered realism, Ram’s approach relies on meticulously choreographed long shots that mimic real-time tension, ensuring the viewers feel every beat of the drama. His technique often uses extended, uninterrupted takes, often stretching up to as long as 90 minutes, to preserve authenticity. Though it is never used as a one shot because it’s shot with 3 or 4 cameras, it allows the editor to then organically shape the emotional experience rather than dictate or force fit it.
This pursuit of immersion finds parallels in the works of the recent hit show Adolescence, whose filmmaking style similarly dissolves the boundary between audience and action. Both employ a seamless, lived-in approach to storytelling, where long, unbroken takes heighten the emotional intensity. As Ram explains, “_System 360 is about creating an ecosystem where the camera, actors, and emotions move in sync, no hiding. The audience isn’t just watching; they’re living it along with the actors. This system allows the actor to arrive at an emotion and live it_ “
Whether through a single, unflinching gaze or a dynamic narrative pulse, System 360 and Adolescence’s immersive techniques share a common goal: to create cinema that breathes, where the viewer isn’t merely an observer but a participant in the unfolding drama.