An Indian in New York

Four Indian men living in New York have their task cut out learning how to walk the razors edge between the traditions of their homeland (including the covert system of dowry) and the new-age American style of relationships.

Four Indian men living in New York have their task cut out learning how to walk the razors edge between the traditions of their homeland (including the covert system of dowry) and the new-age American style of relationships. US-based filmmaker Shailaja Gupta has delved into the experiences of her friends to create four intersecting stories about love and companionship in a film titled Walkaway.

The lives of these characters are constantly affected by their parents living thousands of miles away. I found this template-driven life intriguing, says Gupta. The film draws out the clash between roots and romance,and ethnic and generational differences with unshakeable bonds. All too often,the characters question their desires and decisions.

The film stars US-based actors such as Manu Narayan,Samrat Chakrabarti,Manish Dayal,Sanjiv Jhaveri and Carrie Anne James but credits for almost everything else,from conception and fund-raising to production and post-production work,is Guptas. Bollywood matinee names,however,were the first to detect promise in this indie film.

Shah Rukh Khan called me to India and helped with post-production expenses under his production company Red Chillies Entertainment, recalls the filmmaker.

Oscar winner Resul Pookutty stepped in for the sound-mixing,and Walkaway boasts eight tracks in English,French,Hindi,Marwari and Tamil. Vishal and Shekhar,and Ram Sampath pitched in gratis with the music,while Sagar Desai created the background score.

Interestingly,Gupta has not released the film in any theatre but made it available on the official website of the film using in-video pay-wall technology. A viewer can go to the movie website,pay for the video and watch it. Gupta says that she hopes that this unusual method of launching a film will inspire more indie filmmakers. It allows filmmakers to bypass distributors,as well as earn 75 per cent of the revenue.

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Manish Dayal

An Indian in New York

Four Indian men living in New York have their task cut out  learning how to walk the razors edge between the traditions of their homeland (including the covert system of dowry) and the new-age American style of relationships.

Four Indian men living in New York have their task cut out learning how to walk the razors edge between the traditions of their homeland (including the covert system of dowry) and the new-age American style of relationships.