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Journalism of Courage
For film-maker Anup Singh it all started with screenings on ship decks as he sailed with his mother from Africa to India. quot;It was this staggering feeling of films being a part of the cosmos itself. The blue expanse of sky, the ocean and a film.quot; These stirrings were given a shape in another setting 8212; but by a screening again. quot;About 15 years ago, I watched a Ritwik Ghatak film, Ajjantrik, in Paris. I knew I had discovered a passion.quot; So, he did the next most predictable thing: joined the FTII, the temple of Ghatak8217;s life and art.
And about 10 years after graduating, Singh decided to make a film on his icon. Seven years in the making, The Name of the River, is nearly ready. The film isn8217;t a take-off on Ghatak8217;s life though. quot;It is a feature film. A love story. But Ghatak is present throughout. I have taken characters and situations from his films and used them as sub-plots for the main story, which is about love, parting and reunion. I8217;ve tried to capture the core of his inspiration. Assimple as that.
Unfortunately, The Name of a River will not see an India release 8212; apart from Calcutta 8212; even though it opens at festivals abroad by the end of the year. quot;I have no choice. No distributor is willing here.quot; Will he stick to parallel cinema for his next venture? quot;Not at all. I8217;m open to making commercial films as well as serious films. May be one withMeeta Vashisth, his wife.quot; In the Deepa Mehta-Kaizad Gustad league? quot;I don8217;t think too highly of their work.quot; Singh is aiming much higher. His next project is likely to be an English film set in London. quot;Most probably with Anthony Hopkins.quot;
8211;SANJUKTA SHARMA
