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Home > APK's Interviews > Anish Kuruvilla Kuruvilla's Confessions APK | October 17, 2007  Tell us about yourself-background, education and passion for cinema.I'm a Hyderabadi, born and brought up here. I did my schooling at HPS and did my graduation at Nizam's. I've always had a passion for movies. In school I was into dramatics, theatre et al and directed some plays. After graduation, I worked in a production company called Bhairav Films headed by Mani Shankar of 16 December, Tango Charlie and Rudraksh fame. Back in '97 he was into TV software and music videos. I was a production assistant there. Why did you choose the Telugu film industry? I grew up thinking I should go to Mumbai and seek my fortunes there, like so many others who want to make it in the movies. But the comfort of staying at home…and the idea of the immense struggle involved in getting a foray in Hindi movies made me opt for the home ground. I just wanted to learn the craft first. Anyone who was willing to take me and a place to start was what I was looking for. So first I assisted Mani Shankar and then got to assist Nagesh Kukunoor for Rockford. Right after Rockford, I saw myself struggling to get a job in a production company. We met at a mutual friend's base and our mindsets were alike. Sekhar was back from the US, trying to understand the craft, while I already had some understanding myself, having assisted people before this. Dollar Dreams happened, with Sekhar directing it and I found myself assisting and acting in it. The association started and continued with Anand and Godavari, and even Happy Days. I've learnt a lot working with him. Let's talk about your film 'Confessions of a Filmmaker'. What motivated you to make it? After Godavari, I was going through a low phase. Let's just say I was disillusioned with the way things were. There are many reasons for this. I think I was too idealistic at that point of time, and whatever I saw was happening around was affecting my thought process. It's based on my observations in and around the film industry. It was all coming from me. It is my expression, and there is anger in it-it's not frustration though. But when you are angry, it's hard to be polite. That's the reason it is straightforward, without any censoring from my side. There is foul language, but that's just how my anger is. It had to come out. One thing was, I knew it isn't going to be screened or passed around by the censors. There was a target audience for it, and I knew there would be people who'd relate to it. I just wanted to make it for myself, and there was just one screening at Prasad Labs and it's now on the internet. It's an expression of my ideas. I guess you could call it 'Expressionist Art' (Laughs). You've criticized a lot of things, people and the way the industry works. What do you LIKE about the Telugu industry? The binding factor. All kinds of people-irrespective of creed, caste or social standing, all of us watch and rejoice cinema. Like, everyone will come to the theatre and watch their favorite star and feel happy. The kind of spirit it generates amongst the public is one more thing. Yeah, it is a major part of the culture. But I have my own doubts on whether that is such a good or no. To be honest, I have very few great things to say about it. Why isn't that good? It upsets me when I see youth being obsessed with stars. In other cultures and societies, we see sports idols, entrepreneurs and many other people from other fields apart from cinema who the youth look up to. Here, the ratio is disproportionate. We are way too obsessed with our movie stars, and it's not such a good thing. We need other role models, and we need stronger role models.  After watching your movie, many of the directors who were invited for the screening (Kammula, Gangaraju and others) did not comment. What kind of a reaction did you get in general from the insiders?Most of the people hated me for it. They felt I was out of my mind. They believed that there is no room for someone like me and for movies like this. I agree with them. I did have some very negative perceptions and I was vocal about it through my movie. Very few people accepted it for what it was. The paying public, a small minority of them, liked it. Some even said it's a masterpiece. But the majority said that I had no business saying what I said. But, now I'm a calmer guy. I was very disillusioned and angry, like I said. And I let it out with COAF. I'm glad I did it, and much more at peace now. You've even received threats from some people. What was your reaction to that? Now, I'd rather just let it go. They were mostly from some supporters of a few bigwigs I said some things about through the movie. They warned me to watch my back, and the threats were on a physical degree. It did rattle me a bit. In fact, I felt like Taslima Nasrin. I just kept a low profile after that. I did one big show at Prasads Labs and now it's on sale on the net. I got some threatening and abusive e-mails after that too. It's time I learnt to laugh about it. There is a rumor that it's actually Sekhar Kammula's idea and he wanted you to make it, but did not want to have his name to it. What do you say to that? It's absolutely untrue. In fact, he feels I shouldn't have put my foot in the mouth like that. He understood the character and all that, and what the character stood for. But he felt I went overboard and that it was unnecessary. He had nothing to do with it; he's my strongest critic though. Weren't you afraid that making a movie like COAF might ruin your chances to get into the mainstream? You need a story to make a movie. My epitaph should read that I stood my ground. I want to make movies I believe in. My philosophy is people will think he's young, he's got some angry blood and they will just let it pass. I don't think it will affect anything-people don't have that much time here. I didn't think about the consequences, but I don't think it will affect anything really. Back to Anand. You acted in both Dollar Dreams and Anand. Why didn't we see you on-screen after that? I acted in those movies only because I was assisting Sekhar and we couldn't find someone at the last minute for the role. So he'd be like, you do it. I just did it because he asked me to. It's not a passion with me; I'm really not into acting. I'd rather direct actors than act myself. You've been with Kammula from DD to HD. What was your part in the making of Happy Days? I helped set up the project. Then I came in for the post-production. I wasn't there for the shoot, I was too busy with making COAF myself. I was just there as a friend. It's Sekhar's biggest hit yet, and I'm really happy and proud.  Do you regret not being there for the shoot?Yes and no. I wouldn't have been much of a help, really. I was going through a low phase and I had to get over it. I'm a better person now. It was important for me to let it out. You've assisted Kukunoor for Rockford. Was it at all inspired from Rockford? It has some similarities. No, not at all. Happy Days is based on Sekhar Kammula's life as an engineering student. It's based on his own experiences. Many of the characters are actually based on Sekhar's close friends. Lots of people are suggesting a sequel to Happy Days. What do you think? That's a great idea. I don't know, it depends on Sekhar. So since it's based on Sekhar Kammula's life and experiences, would one of them end up becoming a director in the sequel? (Laughs) I don't know that either. We haven't even considered a sequel, though it is true people are suggesting that idea a lot. What are you planning to do next? Acting, directing, executive producer..? I want to get into mainstream cinema. I'm working on a script and it will be done in a couple of months. I'd like to make a full-length feature film, shot on film and not digital. I hope to start work on it by next year. I want to make a movie that will get public acceptance. COAF reached a few thousands. It's time to reach out to the millions out there. Films have a great role to play and we are just not utilizing it properly. They have the power to influence and change-I'm idealistic that way, but I believe that. Who are your favorites? Actors, directors and films? Actor-Marlon Brando, Film-Masoom and director-Shekhar Kapur. How about Sekhar Kammula? Of course he's also my favorite. But first he's a friend, then a director for me. You've named a Hollywood actor. Who's your favorite Telugu actor? Rajendra Prasad. |