It’s in the mind

The 18-minute film is the story of a man who believes he is the German dictator Adolf Hitler and has locked himself up as he counters his emotions and seeks redemption. “It’s more like a fly-on-the-wall account and a character study of the man over 10 days—the humane fashion in which he deals with his emotions,his introspection as he realises the number of people he has killed and his longing for redemption,” explains the 24-year-old filmmaker.

Incidentally,the film,made two years ago in the US,was the thesis project for Lalwani’s course at the New York Film Academy and she hadn’t expected it to receive such a response. Recounts producer Varun Shah,who was Lalwani’s batchmate at the film school,“It was an idea that Ruchika came up with and once she wrote the script,she received encouraging response from fellow students and teachers. Many acclaimed professionals came on board simply because they believed in the script.” The film,hence,made on a shoestring budget and chiefly funded by Lalwani herself,does not compromise on quality.

Lalwani,who returned to India last year after her course,had almost forgotten about her project till she screened it for the cast and crew. One of the viewers,also on the Rhode Island Film Festival committee,suggested that she officially submit the film under the live action short film category at the festival,also known as an Oscar-booster festival. “They even waived the fee,” smiles young director who worked on Lucy Liu’s directorial debut in India as a script supervisor. Lalwani is now writing a script for a Los Angeles-based filmmaker. She hopes to turn director with her next project and is open to both,an Indian as well an international projects.

However,as of now,both Shah,a line-producer for foreign productions in India,and Lalwani are gearing up to travel for the festival that will be held between August 10 and August 15. “We are just keeping our fingers crossed,” Shah says.