After impressing audiences with Loev, Big Girls Don’t Cry and Ulajh, National Film Award-winning filmmaker Sudhanshu Saria is now all set to produce two films based on fresh ideas. Under his banner, Four Line Films, he’s producing Kumar Chheda’s Pech, which explores class and marginalization against the backdrop of Mumbai. Silverfish, directed by Krishna and co-written by Sudhanshu, is about a creature let loose in Silicon Valley. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Hungama, Sudhanshu Saria spoke about turning producer and a lot more.
Sudhanshu Saria said, “Work has been going on for these two films for the last 2-2 ½ years. We’ll be going into production this year. When I run into filmmakers now, there’s a sense of disillusionment about how they are supposed to get started and launch their careers in this time when opportunities seem scarce. In these times, you can either make a very big film or not make a film at all. Hence, for all those reasons, it felt important to back new filmmakers with fresh voices.”
Does his experience as a director give him an advantage as a producer? Sudhanshu replied, “Absolutely. I have a lot of perspective to share and I can predict things before they happen. Of course, every film is a unique adventure. There are places where I’ll be way more overbearing because I know the ins and outs of it. I’ll be way more of a perfectionist and a micromanager. If taken in the right spirit, those things can be very useful. But when you don’t have that perspective, it can also be frustrating. So, like anything, it has its pros and cons. Obviously, I’d play to its strengths. I, myself, have been helped by and guided by so many experienced people who have contributed to my films and got me to where I am today. The idea is to do the same – provide guidance and perspective so that both my filmmakers are able to make terrific first films in a journey that makes them feel safe and protected and allows them to be at their creative best.”
It has become even more challenging to produce a film, especially on a certain budget. Sudhanshu Saria looks at this scenario differently, “Which industry is not facing a challenge right now? And I feel limitations are definitely a part of the job. People have less discretionary income while unemployment is rampant. So, it’s not something that I complain about – why is the public not going (to cinemas)? Why are they not paying and consequently, why are the budgets so low? I would anyway prefer a time where a lot of films are made at unheard-of budgets. I believe that when there’s wastage, it hurts creativity. My producer instinct begins from the moment we are doing subject selection. After making enough films, you do get a rough idea after reading the brief of what kind of budget a film requires. Also, with a first-time filmmaker, one also knows that there’s only a certain amount of money that the market can risk, what kind of casting potential it has, what the audience for it is, etc. In short, that math begins at subject selection. If the equation doesn’t add up, then I am not doing my job as a producer.”
Sudhanshu Saria’s films in the past have taken the festival route. Will Pech and Silverfish follow suit? The filmmaker explained, “Screening a film at a film festival is one of the best parts of making a film – to get that live reaction from people of different cultures and different places. Having said that, every film determines its own strategy. Both these films have very audience-friendly content. I was very clear when picking subjects that I am making films for people to go to the cinemas and watch. That is definitely the purpose. As we look to revitalize our business, now is the time to be very focused on films that bring people out of their homes. Now, festivals play a very important part in that journey but I have to do what’s correct for the films and make sure it reaches its audience. So, if it means holding it back from the festivals and building up an anticipation that explodes in cinema, that’s fine. But if it means giving people an early taste of the film so that we can build buzz and demand, that’s fine too. But yes, I am certainly grateful for the support I have got from the festivals.”
Will he juggle direction while producing these two films? Or would he like to focus on making these two films before donning the director’s hat? Sudhanshu stated, “I keep saying that I’ll multitask. But so far, that has not been true! I feel that I’ll prioritize the work on these films over my directorial. I feel very protective of these filmmakers. So, I definitely need to do a better job of focusing on my work. If I do my job right in this pre-production stage, then I can believe that during production, the team can take over. I’d very much like not directing something during the shoot. But if that happens, we’ll handle it then.”
The post EXCLUSIVE: Sudhanshu Saria reveals he’s producing Pech and Silverfish to back fresh voices; says “filmmakers today feel disillusioned due to fewer opportunities…want my directors to feel safe and protected” appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
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