Currently in the midst of filming her first Hindi movie, centered around the life of freedom fighter Neera Arya, Roopa Iyer - who has transitioned from acting to directing - gives off an aura of battle-hardened resilience. Delving into Neera's tale demanded extensive research, while navigating the challenges of assembling a cast and collaborating with a team largely comprised of men who sometimes took direction from a female director less seriously proved to be a learning experience for Roopa. Her journey with this project has been a test of perseverance, particularly in light of gender-related obstacles. In her own words: "Neera's story is not just remarkable but imperative to be shared."
Neera fought alongside the Jhansi regiment in the Indian National Army, under the leadership of Subhas Chandra Bose, who dubbed every female soldier "Rani" to acknowledge their courage and strength in serving the nation. These women were chosen for their leadership qualities and dedication, sacrificing familial and societal ties for their country. Roopa's decision to focus on Neera's narrative stems from the character's unwavering loyalty to Netaji as she goes to great lengths, even killing her own spouse to ensure his safety. Despite embellishments for storytelling purposes, this film honors the spirit of Neera as a symbol of resilience and courage.
The casting process for this project was a major challenge for Roopa, particularly due to her background in South Indian cinema. Receiving little response from actors she was keen on casting, she had to seek assistance from a senior journalist in Mumbai to connect with potential collaborators. Securing the right actor for the role of Neera's husband posed a particular hurdle in the casting journey.Playing a sort of villain, I am pleased to have Priyanshu Chatterjee in this role. After auditioning numerous individuals, we ultimately selected Shreyas Talpade for Netaji's character because he resembles him. Suresh Oberoi portrays Neera's father.
I felt compelled to create this film in Hindi due to its patriotic and national relevance. It tells the inspiring story of a woman who overcame challenges and lived to share her tale. This is a story that everyone should hear. Although I am well-versed in Hindi grammatically due to my studies, I sometimes hesitate to speak it since it is not spoken frequently, causing moments of searching for the right words.
It is disheartening to observe a lack of professionalism among many working in various departments of the Kannada film industry. While Kannada films are thriving nationally, there is a dearth of professionalism at the foundational level. Many individuals in different roles within the industry, such as makeup artists, costume designers, art directors, and lighting technicians, lack proper training, resulting in inefficiencies and increased production costs. The film chamber and department heads must ensure that those sent to sets are adequately trained. Just as a police officer needs training before being deployed, individuals in the industry should also be prepared. Nepotism often leads to unqualified individuals being hired, increasing costs and hindering progress. Despite advancements in technology that should lower production costs, the lack of professionalism in the industry hinders its growth potential.The growth of the industry is held back when workers show apathy towards their work. As a director, my role is to offer support to employees and individuals in the film industry. However, when they fail to appreciate this support, it becomes a challenging struggle.
