Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Finding muse for his stories from everyday life

Must read

Screenwriter and filmmaker Akshay Parvatkar has a talent for writing stories that are grounded in empathy and personal experience.
His latest project, Hanging by a Thread, explores caste identities in great detail and starts crucial discussions on social fairness.
Driven by self-belief, inclusivity, and a vision for advancement, Akshay embodies the spirit of Walkers & Co. He is a storyteller with a desire to make a difference, not just a filmmaker. We wonder what inspired him to study this topic, and the director responds, “My goal in making films is to push the audience beyond their comfort zones by presenting a reality they are either unfamiliar with or have chosen to ignore. I noticed a pattern where conversations around caste mainly focused on reservations. Caste is, regrettably, an innate part of our identity and informs our beliefs and worldviews. However, the conversation around it is still taboo and in urban areas, it is often claimed to be nonexistent. Hanging by a Thread aims to demonstrate that caste is more complex than just reservations. It is crucial to comprehend the role caste plays in our daily lives if we are to truly comprehend it and engage in constructive discourse.”
Mounting the project and recruiting participants was difficult. When he approached them about finance or co-production, a lot of them told him they could not be involved with a film about caste because of how it would make them seem bad! However, he was able to begin production on the film because of funding from Goa Open Arts and UK producer Afshan D’Souza-Lodhi, who pitched in to co-produce it. Having a fantastic team that was passionate about the subject and worked tirelessly to bring the film to life made the process go smoothly after the money was obtained. His Goan friends and FTII batchmates truly made the film happen!
“I look at the world with open eyes, always wanting to learn new things and gain new perspectives,” the director goes on. “I search all around me for stories, and I find many. Everything usually falls into place when you know why are you making a film and what are you trying to express. Writing actually begins with the story I want to tell; I don’t really start by considering what problem or subject I want to write about. As I write the script, the politics and topics it addresses almost come to me naturally. I find that storytelling is a self-serving method of education. I produce documentaries about subjects and issues that I’m interested in learning more about. I made the decision to make the movie about children because I wanted it to be accessible to all audiences. Youngsters are curious beings who question everything they come across. And that gave me the opportunity to explore the most fundamental caste-related queries. Hanging by a Thread is an underdog tale about a young child who wants to play football but is prevented from doing so by outside forces that are out of his control. My goal is for the viewers to be moved by Rohit’s tale and identify with his path of self-acceptance.” That was Akshay’s perspective on how his stories frequently had a real-life basis and sensitivity!
He then talks to us about his method for working with the actors and crew, saying that “making a film is a collaborative medium that requires everyone’s contribution to be successful. I always make sure to discuss my ideas with my close friends, some of whom are also filmmakers, before I begin writing. Before locking in the final script, I get input from other writers after I’ve finished writing the screenplay. The procedure for working with actors varies depending on the film. Since I was working mostly with children for Hanging by a Thread, I sat down with them and gave them the general plot synopsis without going into too much detail. In front of the camera, I asked them to appear as natural as possible. For my earlier film, The First Wedding, I used an alternative strategy. We improvised a lot on set and didn’t have a screenplay, although I did explain the characters to my actors. There was no other way to make that movie, and the partnership produced a very successful result. It is critical that every member of the team embraces the concept of what we are attempting to accomplish and develops a workflow that functions. I prefer to be transparent with my team regarding my goals, methods of operation, and constraints. I perceive myself as a work in progress, and during the entire filmmaking process, I aim to pick up knowledge from everyone.”
How does he remain faithful to his artistic vision in a field that is frequently influenced by trends and economic success was our next question, and he answered, “When I’m making films, I try to concentrate on stories that speak to me on a personal level and capture the complexity of the human condition. To be honest, the likelihood of the story connecting with the audience increases with its level of personalisation. Since an artist cannot be separated from their work, I prefer to think of myself as a storyteller rather than an artist. As such, the subjects of my stories are inextricably linked to my beliefs and convictions. Despite all of its shortcomings, the film industry allows me and other filmmakers to create the kinds of movies we think are important. With short films, money doesn’t really matter all that much and artists are free to follow their creative visions. The extended format, which includes web series and feature films, is where aspects of commerce come into their own. Here’s where I admire some directors, particularly those in Tamil cinema, who are able to combine a social message with commercial components. In my opinion, in order to create an engaging tale and convey a message that is meaningful to you, you have to find a way to work within the constraints of your industry and put a lot of effort into your craft. A number of directors have recently addressed delicate subjects in very approachable and perceptive ways. Audiences will give you and the film the attention and respect they deserve if you are genuine in your storytelling and have faith in your abilities.”

 He wants as many people to see the movie as possible, and he’ll do all in his power to make it happen. He wants viewers to be able to identify with and sympathise with Rohit’s experience in the movie. This movie is his modest attempt to tell a story that shows the difficulties but also shows how we can overcome them in the face of hardship. Additionally, he hopes that Hanging by a Thread sparks a discussion on how caste is perceived. The more we discuss it, the less taboo it will be, and ideally, we will get closer to becoming a better, more compassionate society.

- Advertisement -spot_img

More articles

- Advertisement -spot_img

Latest article