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The film ‘Gubbachigalu’ produced by B. Suresha and Shylaja Nag under the Media House banner; is deftly directed by young debutant Director Abhaya Simha. Producer B Suresha has already won several prestigious National and State Govt. awards for his films. The screen-play is based on a story written by senior journalist Ismail. The entire team of ‘Gubbachigalu’ had indeed worked very hard, and made an excellent film, which has been duly recognized by the National Jury. Earlier too ‘Gubbachigalu’ had won several accolades both in India and abroad, prominent amongst which is the Indian Panorama at International Film Festival of India, Goa – 2008, Bangalore International Film Festival – 2009, NY Film Video Festival, New York and Los Angeles both in the year 2008, Indian Children’s Film Festival, Toronto – 2008, Best Family Feature film at NY Film Video Festival, New York – 2008 and others. The Director Abhaya Simha speaks here to Correspondent Nina Rai on his journey through the making of the film and his thoughts on winning the highest honor in film making in the country.
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Can you tell us briefly about your background?
I am basically from Mangalore. I am the only son of my parents. My father is a book seller doing business in Jyothi. He owns Athree Book Center. Mother is a house wife. I did my education up to final year in graduation from St. Aloysius College, Mangalore. Later I went on to do my film studies from Film and Television Institute of India, Pune.
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What made you to take up film- making as a profession? We understand you have a degree in English Literature and Journalism from Aloysius College. Do you think your journalism background has helped in the screen play and other aspects of film-making?
Film making was an accident in my life. During my graduation years, I used to do amateur theater. The taste it gave me, along with the strong cultural background I had inherited thanks to my family, helped in grooming me for a future in films. The very first amateur documentary film that I participated in during my college days, gave me a taste for the medium. So I went on to get educated in it and that is how I got in to film making. And as for your question regarding the literature background or journalism, for a film maker knowing anything is an advantage. So in that sense, of course journalism and literature has contributed a lot to whatever I am today.
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Tell us briefly about the storyline of the film ‘Gubbachigalu.’ What exactly inspired you to make this film?
When I was a kid, sparrows were an integral part of life in the small town I lived in, which is Mangalore. Several years later, one day I woke up to the fact that those sparrows were missing in my surrounding. The world had changed too much for those little birds. The ration shops with abundant food supply for them were closed. Now food grains were neatly packed and hidden on the shelves of super markets. The air they once breathed had become too polluted. Their nesting places were all gone. The poor little bird which made its small nest in our homes was no longer welcome. So the film, ‘Gubbachigalu’ (Sparrows) is my search for those lost sparrows. The script is based on the original story given by my senior friend NAM Ismail. We both felt that over a period of time, we have started ignoring the environment around us. The film is an attempt to look in to the matter through the eyes of children.
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Could you tell us briefly about your journey through the making of the film? Did you have to work on a shoe-string budget or were you given a free hand by the producers B. Suresha and Shylaja Nag?
The journey of ‘Gubbachigalu’ started with an idea by NAM Ismail, a senior journalist. We pitched it to B Suresha who liked and supported me in scripting it. When the script was ready, B Suresha along with his wife, Shylaja Nag decided to help me realize this dream called ‘Gubbachigalu.’ Since the style and the form we had chosen for the film, is not populist, we had to work under a small budget. However, I must thank the producers of the film for doing their best in the circumstances, for the film to be what it is today.
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Tell us about your working experience with all the co-artistes, especially the children?
Working with children was an amazing experience. Both my lead actors, Abhiash Kashyap and Prakruti were amazingly co-operative. Other than the kids, I had a gamut of established artists. It was an exciting experience to work with those experienced artists and learn from them about the medium and the film industry it self.
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How did the film fare when it was released, was it well- worth the effort financially?
Well … financially, ‘Gubbachigalu’ didn’t have a successful release. Since the regular distribution system hesitates to take up such films, some of us came together and tried to release four of our films together in a co-operative way. Though many came and watched the films, in total, it could not fetch any substantial financial benefits for the producers.
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What exactly is the message that you wished to convey through this film?
The basic decision taken during the making of this film was not to give any message; we wanted our audience to be conscious. We didn’t want to preach. So, we don’t have any message in the film. However, we show a lot of things which we hope will create awareness in society.
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Do you feel vindicated now that the film has gone on to bag the National Award, considering the fact that earlier it was side-lined by the jury at the Karnataka State Film Awards?
Film is an art. Art can be seen and interpreted in different ways. So each jury will have its own opinion on any film. So I don’t think anything more to this issue.
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Your film has won several encomiums and accolades abroad, which is the one compliment you cherish the most and why?
Of course the ‘Swarna Kamala’ (National Award) is the best that has happened to ‘Gubbachigalu.’ Each festival we were invited to was a great experience. As and when more people came and watched the film, I personally grew so much more in experience.
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Tell us about your current projects. Is it true that you are working with Malayalam Super Star Mammootty, in a film to be produced by big time Kannada film producer K. Manju?
It’s a bit too early to comment on my next project. However, yes! Mr. Mammootty has graciously agreed to be a part of our project. And one of the leading Kannada film producers K Manju has agreed to be the producer for the film. Hopefully, we shall be coming out with more details soon.
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