Currently working on her debut Hindi film that is inspired by freedom fighter Neera Arya, actor-turned-director Roopa Iyer presents herself as someone with firsthand experience of the battlefield. The narrative of Neera required extensive research, and the challenges of casting and collaborating with a predominantly male team that may not always take directions as seriously from a female director added layers to Roopa’s journey with this project. It has been a journey marked by a wealth of learning experiences and navigating obstacles associated with gender. In her own words, “Neera's story is one of great inspiration and deserves to be shared.”
Neera served in the Jhansi regiment of the Indian National Army under the leadership of Subhas Chandra Bose, who addressed each woman in the regiment as "Rani" due to his belief in their strength and courage. This unit comprised strong women who set aside personal and societal responsibilities to serve their country. Roopa chose to delve into Neera's story because of her selfless act of sacrificing her own husband to protect Bose. In imprisonment, Neera displayed immense fortitude, enduring unspeakable torture, even losing her breasts, yet remaining steadfast in her loyalty to Bose. While the narrative is not strictly biographical and incorporates elements of fiction, as a filmmaker, Roopa found freedom in telling this story.
The casting process proved to be a significant challenge for Roopa, particularly as she faced difficulties in getting responses from actors, being relatively new to the industry. With the help of a senior journalist in Mumbai, Roopa managed to connect with potential cast members. Securing the role of Neera's husband proved especially challenging amid these circumstances.He plays a type of antagonist, and I'm pleased to have Priyanshu Chatterjee in this role. After considering many candidates, we settled on Shreyas Talpade for the role of Netaji, as I believe he resembles him. Suresh Oberoi portrays Neera's father in the film.
"I felt compelled to produce this film in Hindi," explained the director. The story is a patriotic one with a national relevance, centered on a woman who overcame numerous challenges. It is a narrative that deserves a wide audience. Due to my proficiency in Hindi grammar from my studies, I am comfortable with the language. Despite the language not being in regular use, there are instances where one may hesitate while searching for the right words.
"It's disheartening to witness the lack of professionalism in various departments of the Kannada film industry," expressed the director. While Kannada films are gaining recognition nationally, the fundamental levels are plagued by a dearth of professionalism among individuals in different film departments. Many artists and technicians lack training, leading to inefficiencies on set and increased production costs. The director emphasized the importance of proper training before individuals are deployed. This lack of professionalism hinders progress and potentially stunts the industry's growth even in the face of advancing technologies, where production costs should ideally decrease.The growth of employees is hindered by their lack of enthusiasm for their work. In my role as a director, I aim to provide assistance to workers and industry members. However, it can be challenging to fight against their complacency and sense of entitlement.
