I'd travelled to Leh with Roopa in 2016. I knew the idea behind what I was shooting. I had also told my office I plan to shoot this as I took ten days off from work. After coming back, I put together this short film in a pitch for an erstwhile client who was dabbling with a new financial product for women. The narrative was basically a girl's letter where she thanked everyone she learnt the idea of being independent from with the messaging of their product being subtle, with a caption and their logo in the end. The client didn't buy the idea - they somehow didn't like the film, and this short sat in my hard drive a further year and a half. Meanwhile, I showed this to another friend and asked if we could sell it to any of his clients too - but nothing happened.
To me, it was still a beautiful story and I just wanted to put it out. I modified the narrative as a girl's letter to the universe and released it online. The film is practically the same, except, it doesn't have any subtle product messaging. And today, a film festival thinks this short deserved to be called a winner.
Such is life. I guess there is a time and place for everything.
A film festival laurel might not even be a big deal. But the first time it happens, you will remember.
I have a tough time seeing only my name on this little beautiful memento from #EIFF2020 when the life and soul of the short film is Roopa, but it makes me smile to see the film name on this nonetheless.
I must say though, that the Kannada and Hindi versions that Roopa translated my original English script from sound a lot better!
You can watch the short here if it interests you.