Challenges Faced by a Female Director from Southern India in Bollywood: Roopa Iyer
Currently shooting for her Hindi debut — based on the freedom fighter Neera Arya — actor-turned-director Roopa Iyer comes across as someone who has been on the battleground herself. While the stor...
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Acting in her first Hindi film, focused on the story of freedom fighter Neera Arya, filmmaker Roopa Iyer is seen as a warrior in her own right. Delving into the research behind Neera's narrative, Roopa navigated the challenges of casting and collaborating with a predominantly male crew. Her journey with this project has been marked by valuable lessons and confronting gender-related hurdles. Roopa shares her insights on the inspirational tale of Neera and the struggles faced during the casting process.He is portraying a sort of antagonist, and I am pleased to have Priyanshu Chatterjee in this role. After auditioning many candidates, we selected Shreyas Talpade to play the role of Netaji, who I believe bears a resemblance to the character. Suresh Oberoi has been cast as Neera's father.

"I felt compelled to make this film in Hindi given its patriotic theme, which holds national relevance. The story is inspired by a courageous woman who overcame significant challenges and lived to share her tale. It's a narrative that everyone should hear, hence my decision to present it in Hindi. Although I am proficient in Hindi grammar due to my studies, there are moments of hesitation when speaking, as one carefully chooses the right words.

"It is disheartening to observe the lack of professionalism among individuals working in various departments of the Kannada film industry. While Kannada films are gaining recognition on a national level, the absence of professionalism at the grassroots level is troubling. Many artists and technicians, including those in makeup, costumes, art, and lighting, are untrained and rely on learning on the job, resulting in inefficiencies and increased production costs. The film chamber and department heads must ensure that individuals sent to work on sets are adequately trained for their roles. Just as a police officer requires training before deployment, these individuals should also be well-prepared. It is common for ill-prepared individuals, often relatives seeking employment, to be assigned tasks they are unfamiliar with, leading to delays and increased expenses. This lack of professionalism hinders the potential cost-efficiency advancements that modern technology could bring to filmmaking. In essence, individuals are hindering their own future growth prospects."Employee growth is hindered by their lackadaisical approach to their tasks. As a director, I am present to provide assistance to workers and stakeholders within our film industry. However, it becomes a challenging struggle when they fail to appreciate the opportunities presented to them.