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A realistic film with a realistic budget and a realistic perspective
Vinta Nanda's English film White Noise is a pure and honest expression
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Vickey Lalwani
In 1991, Vinta Nanda burst into Indian homes with Tara, a bold and path-breaking television serial (on Zee TV), based on the unconventional relationships of the protagonist, played by Navneet Nishan.
Recently, Vinta launched a new NGO (non-government organisation) called Films For Change in Mumbai. Films For Change is actually a platform created by Project Smita Society (run by Vinta herself), and the Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) to make films which speak for the common man and have a definite positive impact on change in society.
Today, Vinta is ready to convert those words into reality. She is busy scripting for her film, White Noise, which she will direct. "I am not going to tell you the story and the cast of my film," Vinta states, adding, "The production house will soon make a formal announcement. But I do not mind talking about its other aspects."
"I always wanted to direct a film. In fact, I came to Mumbai from Chandigarh [a union territory in North India] to make films, 18 years ago. That day has come at last. I am busy with the last part of its script."
Though her main interest was always films, Vinta explains why she started with television. "In those days (1983), television was finding its roots and cinema was somewhat fading away. Besides, I needed [to earn] my bread and butter.
"The desire to direct a film never diminished. I assisted Raman Kumar in the unforgettable Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi. I have been a part of small screen successes on Zee TV, like Umeed, Agnichakra, Raahat and Shatranj as writer, director and coproducer. I have assisted in five films --- Raahee, Parbat Ke Us Paar, Shabnam, Kasam Teri Kasam and Tera Naam Mera Naam. I assisted filmmakers Sachin Bhowmick, Mahesh Bhatt and Akash Khurana. I have done extensive work on documentary films and advertising films. So now I am ready to realise my long cherished dream."
Vinta claims she is not on new ground with film direction. "Film direction will come to me naturally. I don't know why I am known as a writer more than a director. I have directed 37 documentary films, ten commercials, three music videos (for Kavita Krishnamurthy, Anuradha Paudwal and a remix by Plus Music), 70 episodes of Tara, 10 Civil Lines and Aur Phir Ek Din. I am not nervous about holding the reins of a film."
The writer-director says her film will have substance. In English, it will not have Hindi subtitles. "White Noise will be a realistic film on a realistic budget with a realistic perspective. There will be no songs and no running around trees!" she laughs. "But the background score will be a revelation. It will be the greatest music album anybody has ever heard. The cast will comprise personalities from Hindi, English and American cinema. It is a love story set in contemporary times --- a story of two people caught in circumstances not of their own making and going through a journey not chosen by them." It will be shot partly in Mumbai and partly in England.
Meanwhile, Vinta is peeved at cinema today. "Cinema is today's literature," she says. "Tomorrow, our children and grandchildren will view life during our times. Don't we do just that when we read Ramayana and Mahabharata or see the films of the 1950s and 1960s? We are going to look like the most convoluted and crazy race that ever existed. I certainly have a lot of work to do!"
She clarifies her stand, "I am not against opulence. I am against the fact that films nowadays are clones of each other because box-office collections are of primary importance. Weren't Lawrence Of Arabia and Bridge On The River Quay built on a huge canvas? You can study history through these films. Even Raj Kapoor's films were on a big canvas. How realistic they were!
Ram Teri Ganga Maili
sympathised with the woman. It did not exploit her."
Vinta is unhappy with contemporary television, too. "What you see on the small screen is convolution of creativity, though I am sure that this will not last long. Homemakers are good and working women are vamps! A woman is a woman's enemy always. Ridiculous! Name one Ekta Kapoor [the most successful producer on Indian television, with shows like Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki], serial where the man is the enemy of the woman."