Allwyn Mascarenhas
Daijiworld Media Network - Entertainment
Mumbai, Jul 18: Pursuing a career in the largely male-dominated Indian film industry is not easy for a woman. Above all, producing a film is not a child's play. Still, there are a few woman film producers in the country who break the stereotypes and go on to achieve unprecedented heights. Aroona B Bhat, a native of Mangaluru, is one such producer, who has produced a nerve-wrenching Marathi horror film 'Lapachhapi' which is going places.
With 15 international awards and global recognition, 'Lapachhapi' released on July 14 across Maharashtra, and has alreday been declared in Mumbai. Presented by Suryaveer Singh Bhullar of Wild Elephants Motion Pictures and produced by Aroona B Bhat along with Jitendra Patil and Meena Patil of Midas Touch Movies and Entertainment, 'Lapachhapi' has achieved various milestones internationally.
Aroona spoke exclusively to daijiworld on her Mangalurean roots, her journey into the film world and what the audience can expect from 'Lapachhapi'.
Excerpts
Q: It is a proud feeling for us Mangalureans who are seeing you on the big stage. How are you connected to Mangaluru?
A: I was born and brought up in Mangaluru. My parents were both bankers and were with Karnataka Bank Ltd.
I am an Agnesian out and out. From kindergarten to my graduation, I have studied and have been shaped entirely by my Alma Mater.
Q: Were you inclined towards films at a young age? When was it when you felt that film-making was not just a hobby, but that it would be your life and your living? Any roadblocks when you started out?
A: As a kid, I was not at all into films, probably because it was never encouraged by our parents. I owe my love for cinema to my partner - Suryaveer Singh Bhullar, (we are both directors of our company Wild Elephants Motion Pictures) for influencing my mind about appreciating the grand celluloid. It was when we were making our first film 'Tamanchey' (released in 2014) that I realised - oh dear lord, I am in this for real.
My journey into films was a tough one, especially with our first film. Through its ups and downs, it taught us a million things and it was an excellent platform for us to know what not to do in future and what mistakes should never be repeated.
Q: The genre of movie you have picked is a rare one. How did you come up with the idea for 'Lapachhapi'?
A: The credit to this goes entirely to the director of the film - Vishal Furia, who co-wrote this film with Vishal Kapoor. The fundamental thinking here was that horror is quite an unexplored genre and that too the way the film has been made, with a strong social issue running along parallel to the horror element, is what is fascinating, different and intriguing.
Q: You have been to so many film festivals representing 'Lapachhapi'. You are here because of your hardwork. What are the personal attributes necessary for a good filmmaker?
A: As a producer, we have to be ready with a 'No' and one needs to have the strength of character to be able to withstand being the ‘baddie’ on the sets. You control the money, so one has to be smart, sensible, frugal, yet be in a position to envision the director's view of how he wants his film to shape up and at the same time, not compromise on the quality of the film.
That is not easy. Budgets can go overboard and can suddenly burst out of what you have planned for. Being prepared for the worst scenario, having the ability and the mind strength to be able to deal with constant stress and being able to balance out the 'Yes' and the 'No' - takes, I would think, a lot of guts and strength. These I would think are the most important characteristics of a good producer.
Q: Producing a film is collaborating with people. How did you discover the members of your team and how do you keep the relationship with them strong?
A: I 'Live' people. Our core team comprises of people who own the company with us, nobody works for us, they work with us. I keep track of everyone at work, I am their ‘Go to’ person with any issue, most of them personal or financial. And I am proud of that.
If you go through our website wildelephants.in and run through 'Our Team' and you will know what I mean and how important everyone is, be it two legged or four legged.
Q: You must be watching a lot of films. What films have been the most inspiring or influential to you and why?
A: I believe every one on this planet should and must watch all of Akira Kurusova’s films and as cliched as it may sound, Quentin Tarentino and Guy Richie. Give me their films any day and I will sit and watch them even if I have watched them a million times before.
The story telling, the interesting and gripping narrative, the way they shoot the film is all different and each frame teaches you a million things. I love them and for me I equate them to being Gods of Cinema.
Q: In the earlier years of Indian film industry, there was the concept of formula films - two girls and one guy, or vice versa with an item number. What would you define the present norm or formula as? By that definition would your film be a part of mainstream or alternate cinema?
A: The audience has changed and that has influenced cinema in a big way. Today, content has become of utmost importance. The divide between commercial cinema and what at one time was slotted as Art House Cinema has greatly diminished. The influence of digital world on cinema by giving it another platform has given wings to independent films and independent filmmakers such as ourselves. 'Lapachhapi' is a film that crosses the boundary of commercial and alternate and I do believe that every good film today has an audience.
Q: Can you tell us about your upcoming projects?
A: There are a lot of things in the pipeline and I will talk about them as and when they are in a position to be spoken about.
Q: Do you think it is essential for one to go to film institute in order to become a successful filmmaker?
A: Not at all, not in today's day and age. Having said that, I will add, that it sure would not hurt if one did just that.
Q: Any advice for aspiring filmmakers?
A: Watch a lot of films, across all languages and genres. They are the best teachers.
Q: What are the factors in 'Lapachhapi' which make it different from others?
A: 'Lapachhapi' is a genuine paranormal thriller, inspired by true events and is different from anything that has been made in this genre in India. You need to see it to understand what I mean. To further testify to the films credibility is the fact that the film has won 15 international awards.
We are confident of the film's success, firstly because it has been made with an extremely tight budget which increases the viability of the film and to top that it is an extremely well made film. We also foresee a good digital market for this film.
The plot
'Lapachhapi' is a new-age horror flick with a story of a young couple. The trailer speaks of a housewife Neha (Pooja Sawant), who is eight months pregnant, when the couple seeks shelter in a house hidden inside a sugarcane field. But the fields are ridden with secrets of the past which starts unfolding as the film progresses. The film revolves around a mother wanting to save her baby from the spirits out to get her unborn baby.
A haunting melody, a Lullaby sung by Rekha Bharadwaj ‘Ek Khel 'Lapachhapi'cha” is bound to stay with you as a reminder of this unique film. The song was originally sung by Nandini Borkar but Rekha Bharadwaj’s distinctive voice has added unique dimension to the song. This Lullaby with a mysterious effect is written by Swayeshri Shasi and composed by the trio Ranjan Patnaik, Tony Basumatri & Utkarsh Dhotekar.
The entire team has been appreciated for their efforts globally and much can be expected from 'Lapachhapi' as a spooky horror film. The film is padded with fine talent like Usha Naik, Vikram Gaikwad and Anil Gawas.
'Lapachhapi' has won the following awards:
Brooklyn Film Festival 2016 - Official Selection
Winner - Spirit Award
Madrid International Film Festival 2016 - Official Selection
Winner - Best New Director
Nominations - Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Score, Best Editing
Spotlight Horror Awards - Gold Award Winner
Horror Hotel Film Festival, Ohio
Official Selection, 4th place Winner
Indiefest Film Awards 2016
Award of Distinction- Best Humanitarian
Awards of excellence - Leading Actress, Supporting Actress, Social Justice/Protest/ Liberation
Awards of Merit (Special Mention) - Cinematography
Accolade Global Film Competition Awards 2016
Awards of Excellence - Feature Film, Direction, Cinematography, Story/Writing, Original Score, Dramatic Impact
Watch trailer