Showing posts with label Nila Madhab Panda interview. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nila Madhab Panda interview. Show all posts
Back in 2010, when I first visited Cannes I had no support system as such-Nila Madhab Panda
8:23 AM
Nila Madhab Panda, who has been attending the Marché du Film at Cannes for the past 13 years, decodes what the Film Market is all about
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; June 5, 2022)
The Marché du Film at the 75th edition of the Cannes Film Festival saw huge participation from India. Nila Madhab Panda, who has been attending Marché du Film since 2010, spoke to us about the importance of attending the film festival and the film market, and how attending Cannes can help young filmmakers. Talking about the breakthroughs so far, Nila said that this year, a lot of foreign producers have shown interest in Indian projects.
‘BY TAKING FILMS BY YOUNG FILMMAKERS TO CANNES’ FILM MARKET,THE I&B MINISTRY PROVIDED A SUPPORT SYSTEM’
This year, at Marché du Film, there were projects from India in sections like special screening, pitches, and Goes to Cannes. Nila says, “Back in 2010, when I first visited Cannes I had no support system as such. But this year, by taking several films by young filmmakers to Cannes’ film market, what the I&B Ministry did was to provide a support system to young filmmakers. Some of these films were by debut filmmakers. And Cannes is the best place for networking for a filmmaker. At Marché du Film, they can get their work recognised on an international scale. Besides, the market gives us a chance to get our films selected in international film festivals and distributed in cinemas across the world.”
‘THE FILM FEST PROVIDES A PERSPECTIVE TO FILMMAKERS’
Nila points out that even at the Marché du Film, the careers of filmmakers have been launched because of the exposure they get and the networking they can do here. He adds, “Beyond this, the Cannes Film Festival provides a perspective to filmmakers. You get to understand the viewpoints of film industries from across the world, and you get a fair idea about catering to the international audience. You get a lot of insights. I am a regular at film festivals across the world and have been a regular at Cannes, that’s why I feel this exposure to the film market will help independent filmmakers even in their future projects.”
‘SHOOTING IN INDIA IS CHEAPER THAN SHOOTING IN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES’
Nila says that even for European filmmakers shooting in India is cheaper than shooting in European countries because of expensive location prices. He says, “I know a Polish filmmaker who was planning to shoot somewhere in Asia, and she was thinking of filming in Thailand or somewhere, but after looking at what India is offering in terms of incentives and locations, she has now decided to shoot her film in India.”
India was in focus at the Marché du Film, this year. Talking about how being the ‘country of honour’ brought India under the spotlight, Nila says, “The outcome is incredible. This year, at India Pavilion, there were queues of foreign filmmakers to enter the venue. I’m part of an international producers’ network and several foreign producers have shown interest in Indian pitches, projects, and even filming in India.”
‘WITH NEW INITIATIVES, THERE’LL BE A JUMP IN CO-PRODUCTIONS’
Nila says co-productions are a norm for European filmmakers. He says, “But we have had very few co-productions in India like The Lunchbox and Sir. With recently announced initiatives by I&B Ministry for co-production projects, I believe we will get to see a jump in co-productions. This year, one of the things which happened at Cannes was ‘action oriented dhamaka’. It is a great business model, too. For example, if an Indian filmmaker collaborates with a Sri Lankan filmmaker, then there are possibilities for the film to gain traction in both countries, and get a Sri Lankan film release in India.”
‘YOU BUILD CONNECTIONS AT CANNES,AND THEN YOU SET MEETINGS AND FOLLOW-UP’
Recalling his first visit to Cannes in 2010, Nila says, “I first came to Marché du Film with I Am Kalam. A special screening was organized at the India Pavilion, and Barbara Broccoli, producer of the James Bond series, came to the pavilion to watch my film. I had earlier worked on a documentary Stolen Childhoods (2005), which she had produced, so I had invited her for the screening. Over the years, I have presented several projects at the Marché du Film. One may not see immediate results, but you’ve to follow up after Cannes. You build connections at Cannes, and then you set meetings and follow-up. People know people, and that’s how it works out.”
WHO VISITS CANNES’ MARCHÉ DU FILM?
- Filmmakers who want to pitch their films
- Those aiming to create partnerships through co-productions
- Those who need financing or a postproduction partner
Due to Coronavirus, IFFI may feel different. But it’s as good as previous years, or even better-Nila Madhab Panda
8:14 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; January 21, 2021)
‘IFFI IS A REMINDER OF HOW OUR CINEMA HAS FOUGHT COVID’
Talking about attending a film festival amid the pandemic, Nila tells us, “Due to the pandemic, IFFI may feel quite different this year. But I’d say it is as good as the previous years, in fact, it is even better. The only difference is people are wearing masks. One has to be at IFFI in Goa to see how officials have reinvented it for the pandemic. IFFI 2021 is a mixture of virtual and outdoor events to adapt to the COVID-19 era. You can feel the love and magic of cinema at IFFI, and it is a reminder of how cinema has fought Coronavirus.”
‘ENTERED A THEATRE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 11 MONTHS, IMPRESSED WITH ARRANGEMENTS’
Nila says, “When I entered the auditorium, I realised that I’m entering a theatre after almost 11 months. When I came to attend the screening of my film in Goa, I was a bit apprehensive whether people would come for the screening or not, if there would be any decor this year, will it feel like previous years or not. Mujhe laga mahaul dukhi sa ho hoga. But I felt so good being here, it was just as good as the previous years. The decorations are beautiful, people are so friendly and the air is fresh. So much of efforts have been put into making the fest a success.” He adds, “I’m here for four to five days, and will be attending physical screenings of other films too.”
The climate change is catastrophic; We are living in a gas chamber-Nila Madhab Panda
8:15 AM
Nila Madhab Panda on being one of the 11 filmmakers selected by the UN to be a part of an anthology on climate change
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 23, 2019)
Nila Madhab Panda, best known for his directorial, I Am Kalam, is one of the 11 filmmakers from across the globe selected by the United Nations to make a film on the worldwide phenomenon of rampant climate change. “The project is titled Interdependence and filmmakers from 11 nations will talk about this very relevant issue and how it plagues their countries. It’s essentially an anthology,” informs the maker. The other 10 directors on board include Faouzi Bensaidi (Morocco), Asa Hjorleifsdottir (Iceland), Mahamat-Saleh Haroun (Cannes winner from Chad, Sahel Region), Salome Lamas (Portugal), Bettina Oberli (Switzerland), Shahrbanoo Sadat (Afghanistan), Silvio Soldini (Italy), Daniela Thomas (Brazil), Leon Wang (China) and Karin Williams (New Zealand).
Nila’s film, primarily a courtroom drama, is set in our capital city. It features Divya Dutta as a judge and Tannishtha Chatterjee as a lawyer, with Manjari Fadnnis and Chandan Anand as a married couple on the verge of divorce. “I have been living in Delhi for a long time now and the change is catastrophic. We are living in a gas chamber and being the parent of a growing child, I am worried about his health all the time. Since we are responsible for what is happening, we should come forward to do something. Running away won’t help. This film is a portentous narrative which will show us how we can fight the problem in our own way,” he explains.
Nila is ecstatic to be the chosen one to represent India at a global platform. “There is an Oscar- nominated filmmaker, directors who have won at Cannes, Berlin and other prestigious film festivals. All 11 of us have come together for one ultimate cause: climate change,” he exults, admitting that it was tough getting his cast together. “I got lucky and now have a nice ensemble in place. I have always been fond of Divya’s work, I believe she has more to offer than what we have seen and you will get to see another shade of her talent in my film,” he promises.
The film will open in Italy and travel across the globe with the intention of making everyone aware of the world we live in. “A release in India is the distributors’ call, but I hope it finds its way to the country,” Nila signs off.
My whole life came back to me-Nila Madhab Panda on his Padma Shri honour
7:25 AM
MID-DAY (March 29, 2016)
"I did not aspire for a big house or other such stuff; I wanted to be known by my work," National Award- winner Nila Madhab Panda told hitlist soon after receiving the Padma Shri on Monday. Describing the felicitation ceremony as a surreal moment, the 42-year-old Odisha-born filmmaker said he was filled with pride when President Pranab Mukherjee asked him to “keep up the good work”.
“As soon as I entered Rashtrapati Bhavan, seeing the President and the Prime Minister and other bigwigs, it was a surreal moment for me. I had never imagined myself here. My whole life came back to me. I went into flashback. I always wanted my work to give me identity. This honour also comes with a huge responsibility,” said Panda, who won the National Award for I Am Kalam (2010).
At the event, he met poet and writer Haldhar Nag who also hails from his home state. “He comes from a humble background and always wears a vest and banian, and walks barefoot — that’s how he attended the ceremony too. It is so fulfilling to see such people bag awards,” he added.
So, what are his plans to celebrate the joyous occasion? “I plan to celebrate this day with a few friends at a restaurant in New Delhi. I am not into fashion, but made it a point to wear a bandhgala to the event,” he said.
APJ Abdul Kalam was a true hero of modern India-I Am Kalam director Nila Madhab Panda
7:46 AM
Nila Madhab Panda, the director who made I Am Kalam speaks about his encounters with the departed visionary
Subhash K Jha (DNA; July 29, 2015)
The death of the former President Of India, Dr APJ
Abdul Kalam on Monday has plunged the nation into a state of mourning.
National award winning director Nila Madhab Panda whose I Am Kalam was a
homage to Kalam’s vision of a child-literate India, met the great
visionary on several occasions for the film.
Nila recalls the gentle intellectual giant with much affection. “I came from a similar background as Dr Kalam, where basic education and survival were an issue. Then when I became a filmmaker, I made feature length documentary for Barbara Broccoli. For this documentary, I met lot of street children. The thing that haunted me the most was their dreams. I had seen the dreams in the eyes of these children I met on the streets, railway stations, brick factories and brothels.”
That’s when Nila began planning his film on Kalam. “I used to read a lot on Dr Kalam. I always thought of making a film which can inspire children, and tried to think of a hero, who can inspire. Ab hero isss desh mein hain kitney, aur kahaan? I felt the most inspiring living hero for our children was Dr Kalam. He was a true leader, a true hero.”
Remembering his first meeting with Dr Kalam, Nila grows emotional. “The first thing he said to me was, ‘Come come, you have a great smile, it means you have a good soul.’ He held my hand and asked me, ‘Are you married?’ I said yes. Then, he asked, ‘Are you with family after marriage or separated from family?’ I said, my family is in the village, but I am in the city because of my profession. It was then that Dr Kalam made a beautiful statement, which I can never forget. He said to me, ‘Joint family means growth, prosperity, love, trust, blessings unity....nuclear family ..you are finished.” Nila also can never forget the time he spent with Dr Kalam during and after he made the film. “Apart from being a president or scientist, Dr Kalam’s understanding of modern India and its cultural heritage was unmatched by any other living leader. He was a star which you can’t touch but can feel in every sphere of activity,” he says.
Nila’s film will remain a cinematic legacy of the great man’s reach and influence. He says, “I simply made a film on his philosophy and his statements, and it became a super hit. You know, he was not into self-congratulation, so instead of talking about himself after my film he said ‘Good you are spreading some good message for the new generation’. Our generation never met Mahatma Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri or Jawaharlal Nehru. But we are lucky and proud to have had such a great living legend in our midst. A true hero of modern India.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)