All it takes is one step at a time says Hemant Gaba, director of the film ‘Shuttlecock Boys’, a path breaking indie film now running in theatres released via PVR Director’s Rare film banner. Having lived up to critics’ and fans expectations alike, this small indie feature with a soulful theme has touched quite a few hearts and evolved as a winner. Movie Roundup caught up with Hemant Gaba, who tells us how he turned a dream in to reality.
It took me four years (2.5 years in the making and 1.5 years for theatrical release), 35 lacs in budget, four non-actors and a heart full of passion to turn my dream in to reality exclaims Hemant, who’s now basking in the overwhelming success of his film. Every filmmaker has a story to share and this is my story, acknowledges Mr. Gaba, proudly.
Intrigued by the title, I asked him – so, why ‘Shuttlecock Boys’ of all the names? Is there a metaphorical context or something associated to it? He says, not sure if it has a metaphorical context but it most definitely has a reason. Therefore, the film is not about four friends wanting to become badminton players, if you thought so but it’s bigger than that. To find out what it is, you’ll have to go and watch the film J
Besides 35 lacs, Hemant and his team invested themselves emotionally and mentally in the project. The biggest challenge was to persist and have patience and complete the project. Inspiration to me came from the characters in the film. The characters’ journey and mine are very synonymous, so in a way what I wrote kept me on my toes to finish the crossing line, adds Hemant.
Although Hemant is happy to have completed and released his film successfully, he’s still saddened by the fact that Indian audiences are still not tuned to indie films irrespective of their international acclaim. He also adds that a true honor to any film, indie or regular, is when it reaches out to everybody, in every nook and corner of the country. Unfortunately, that day is not today but I wish the oncoming days will be different for these films.
If you watch ‘Shuttlecock Boys’ then you’d notice all the new faces and wonder where did they come from? Ask Hemant, he says we auditioned almost 200 people and when we finally zeroed in on the four protagonists, we spent about one more month with them in workshop to develop their camaraderie. It’s this one month of bonding that allowed these actors to shine on screen, we at Movie Roundup believe. This chemistry between the actors also serves as the film’s biggest strength.
Music by Avinash Baghel elevates this film to greater heights and unlike other films; music in SB is only in the background. Violin and guitar were primarily used to compose the music along with a variety of instruments digitally.
With digital technology gone inexpensive and accessible, there are and will be a surge in Indie films getting made in India, strongly feels Hemant. The future is bright and all that we want now are few alternative distribution platforms.
Hemant signs off by saying there’s no success formula any indie filmmaker besides passion, integrity and honesty. This is not the end but the beginning for Hemant, who’s currently busy working on the script for his next film called Defiance, which will deal with a very sensitive subject. I will not say what he’s working on because it kills the excitement, doesn’t it? So, let’s wait!
I on behalf of Movie Roundup and its readers wish Hemant Gaba all success in his future endeavors. Watch ‘Shuttlecock Boys’ not for Hemant but for a simple, inspiring and heartwarming subject.