Its was a great saturday when i got this news from Shylaja mam (producer), that “Gubbachigallu” got the National Award for best children film. ( for year 2008 – 56th National Awards)
The story of the film is very appealing. and as it has been told on screen by a talented director.
Equally interesting is the story behind its making. Director cameraman going in bike (Abhaya dad’s bike, perhaps 15 years old, but in good shape) leaving early in the morning, still dark and cold. I am all wrapped up, sneezing and also holding the bike at the same time, blowing my nose and reaching office to wake sleeping bodies “come on we have shoot today” and would start most of our days like this.
interesting incidences kept visiting us till the last even till the time release print was made.
it was some journey shooting that film, a few days back Abhaya (director of the film ) was here and he reminded me which i had almost forgotten that we shot 5 days without lights. that was because the budget of the film was so stringent that producer said that out of 19 days of shoot choose any 5 days when you won’t get lights!!
so to calculate, 1/4th of the principal shooting was done with out lights.
we were given crane (18 feet) only for one day.
and so many compromises….. but in all it was a great journey, learnt a lot.
Good that the film was made although with minimum resources but essentially with HEART.
