New Delhi: Though the possibility of Richard Gere featuring in his future project seems to overshadow everything else that's worth talking, there is a lot this filmmaker has to tell. Nila Madhab Panda has taken the indie route and tasted success with his debut feature film I Am Kalam. And he is now ready with his next film Jal Bin Jal Pari (The Desert Mermaid). Six months after this interview Making a film is like falling in love with a girl: director, I Am Kalam, DearCinema catches up with the director again.
Life after I am Kalam:
One successful film doesn't change your life. But yes things have become a lot easier. My producer (Sushilkumar Agrawal of Ultra Group) just heard the concept of The Desert Mermaid and decided to invest in the film. He put his complete faith in me because he had liked I Am Kalam. It was easier to cast actors this time (Parvin Dabas, Tannishtha Chatterjee). I have also been getting big offers including Hollywood but I know my limitations and want to concentrate on small projects that are close to my heart first.
On The Desert Mermaid:
It is a film about the male-centric society that we live in. The problem of skewed sex ratio has been intertwined with water scarcity in the country. The protagonist is a girl who dreams of being a mermaid but there is no water in her village. Through the girl's eyes, we look at alpha-male characters that we both love and hate. It is going to be an adventure as well as a thriller film for children. The film is undergoing post-production now.
The film has been shot in a village in Mahendragarh district of Haryana where sex ratio is the lowest. Also, the ground water level has depleted so much that the digging of borewells is prohibited in the village. For me, it is very important to shoot in real locations to be able to feel the film. I have a habit of improvising on the script depending on the location. I also use local musicians to compose music for the film.
On the much hyped project with Richard Gere:
We are yet to decide on the cast of this film but a few big names are inevitable. It is a very ambitious project to be shot in three countries: India, USA and The Netherlands.
Inclination for children's films:
Are there any films being made for children in our country? Most of the films that pass off as children's films today have an adult sensitivity. Children's films have to be like fairy tales as they don't get to hear tales from their grandparents anymore. One has to think like a child and not as an adult. In that respect, I liked Chillar Party very much although it was a typical Bollywood film.
I want to make good films for children. I want to make films that will please my seven-year old son. He was thrilled when I showed him The Desert Mermaid. So, I am happy with the film I have made.
On independent filmmaking:
One thing that I have learned is that no one will support you when you are making a film. You have to have the guts to go ahead and make a start. You put your heart and soul into the film and everything else will fall in place. When I was making I Am Kalam, everyone I approached for help turned me down. But as soon as the film started creating buzz, I had sponsorships worth twice the budget of the film. Be sure you are not going to find support anywhere but you have to believe in yourself and the film. With I Am Kalam being nominated in three categories for Colors Screen Awards (Most Promising Debut Director, Best Story, Best Child Artist) I'm hopeful that good cinema is getting its due recognition in the industry.
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