Jaipur-based filmmaker Suruchi Sharma’s short film Gagan Gaman, a modern Rajasthani folk tale about a woman’s quest, recently premiered at the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024. Suruchi, who also won a National Award for her short film Meen Raag (2020), talks about promoting independent cinema, dealing with budgetary challenges and much more in an exclusive interview with Hindustan Times. Excerpts. (Also read: Exclusive | Director Kinshuk Surjan on Marching in The Dark: “The film is much more than just a story”)

Suruchi Sharma on depicting folk traditions

When asked about blending the story of a modern woman with a folk tale, Suruchi says, “I am a filmmaker from Jaipur and have created many documentaries centered on popular culture. I have documented various musical traditions of Rajasthan and look forward to learning more about the popular culture to understand it better. Living in Jaipur, my life is deeply connected to these customs, traditions, stories and music. Part of this knowledge comes from my professional background, while other aspects are present in my environment; this is how popular culture naturally enters my life. Regarding the modern aspect of the film, I am a modern woman pursuing a career in the creative arts. I have access to both worlds and they are truly a part of who I am.

Suruchi Sharma on the challenges women face in relationships

In Gagan Gaman, the main character struggles to be heard in his relationship with his partner. Asked if this reflects the current difficulties women face in finding their voice in relationships, the filmmaker responds: “Relationships are inherently complex. We must prioritize communication and deeper understanding between individuals. This requires conscious effort. When we lack motivation to commit, we end up feeling isolated, which can lead to the breakdown of couples and relationships. Right now, there is a lot of discussion around loneliness and isolation for women and men. It reflects the times in which we live. Maintaining a relationship is a complicated process. , and if we don’t actively choose to engage in it, we can feel a sense of isolation.

Suruchi Sharma on women-centric themes

When asked about the female-centric themes in most of her work, including her music videos, Suruchi explains, “It feels very natural to me. Nothing in my work is forced. I don’t start with an agenda unless it’s a client project that has specific requirements. These artistic projects are guided by the concepts themselves. Music also plays a crucial role; I pay close attention to the lyrics. I listen to the song repeatedly to find the right visuals. In this process, the idea of ​​a woman’s quest often emerges. Ultimately, the theme of celebrating and empowering the feminine resonates with me and comes through naturally in various projects.

Suruchi Sharma on the need to make independent films more accessible

Asked about the initiatives required by the film industry to make independent films more accessible to the youth in India, Suruchi says, “We focus on filmmaking, but understanding cinema is crucial. FTII offers a valuable film appreciation course each year. Bringing this visibility to small towns would be great. This is starting to happen, but we can do more. »

She adds: “Showing films in communities is vital to promoting art. In Jaipur, we have active film clubs that share films from all over the country. I started a program called Rewrite to unite film writers, where they receive mentoring for their feature film scripts. It is an annual event that brings together Indian writers and mentors, highlighting the importance of community initiatives.

Suruchi Sharma on the underrated role of writers

Asked whether film writers often don’t get their due compared to directors and actors in India, Suruchi says, “There are times when directors and actors tend to get more credit. But I think we should put screenwriters more in the spotlight, because they are the ones who give birth to an idea. At Rewrite, writers are our heroes because we understand how much effort writing takes. writers. The reason I started Rewrite is because I wanted to learn from them. The deep understanding of life that writers have is something that can be learned from.

Suruchi Sharma on expanding the reach of independent films

Despite The Elephant Whisperers And Everything that breathes being nominated for the 2023 Oscars, Indian audiences are not exposed to short films and documentaries. When asked what could be done for a more comprehensive distribution of Indian documentaries and short films at the mainstream level, the filmmaker replied, “For the general public, I am not sure what can be done. I think community initiatives have a lot of power. For example, in cinema, everyone thinks that going to Mumbai is the only solution. But I chose to be in Jaipur and make my films there. So we need to break this mentality that more important people will come and save us and give to us. a little support. If documentaries aren’t shown in theaters, let’s screen them in our own film clubs and community circuses. So once people know about it, there will be takers and they too will jump on the train. We will therefore have to initiate something. So artists will have to step up and do something about it. »

Suruchi Sharma on Managing Budget Challenges

When asked how she deals with the budgetary challenges of her films, Suruchi says, “I started with very low-budget projects. My first film, Utsav, was a zero-budget documentary that I shot, directed and edited myself. I always aimed to create low-budget films to maintain my creativity, not to make money. However, Gagan Gaman needed more resources due to the quality of his production, so I partnered with producers to get funding.

She adds, “I invested a lot of my own money in this project, but I received support from my co-producer, Kanika Patawi, and J. Himmat Singh, who produced my previous film. They helped me trusted because they” saw my work. Building relationships takes time, and when you’re aiming for a larger project, you need co-producers at a higher level. Film festivals are great for meeting producers and filmmakers from around the world, but meaningful connections usually develop over time. “.

Suruchi Sharma on promoting independent filmmakers

At most popular film festivals, mainstream stars and their films are front and center. When asked what could be done to give an equal platform to all storytellers, the filmmaker points out: “Our conversation, although my film is an independent short film, is a good example. Media professionals can amplify emerging voices that are under-resourced. a support system for independent producers to help filmmakers. While festivals aim to provide equal opportunities, implementing marketing campaigns to promote these films would add significant value.