‘Odisha has producers but not visionaries’

The Neena Gupta-starrer ‘The Last Colour’, produced by Titilagarh native Jitendra Mishra, is among films that are in the running for a nomination in the ‘best picture’ category at the 92nd Academy Awards. The Delhi-based Mishra, who has emerged as a pioneering ‘alternative producer’ with films like ‘I am Kalam’ on his CV, talks to Amava Bhattacharya over phone about the Oscar nomination list to be announced on Monday, the future of Odia films and working the festival circuit
Did you expect ‘The Last Colour’ to be on the Oscar contention list?
When we made the film, Vikas (Khanna, New York-based Michelin-starred chef and director of ‘The Last Colour’) told me that we should try to ensure that it makes it to the Oscars eligibility list.Otherwise, he said, we would not have done justice to the product. As far as the announcement of the Oscar nomination list on Monday is concerned, we are not in any rat race. The journey matters more than the destination and we are happy to have made it to the contention list.
‘The Last Colour’ deals with the subject of widows of Varanasi and Vrindavan. What was shooting in Varanasi like?
We had a wonderful time there. People were warm and friendly. If you are a good human being, you can really connect to some wonderful people there. It is such a holy place and the people were very hospitable towards us.
The film was screened at the UN headquarters in New York last year. Its first look was revealed at Cannes. Will it get a theatre release in India?
Of course it will. We have travelled with the film across festivals but the ultimate aim is to release it in India. We are waiting to see what happens on Monday before deciding when and how we will take ‘The Last Colour’ forward here. While I can’t ensure that it will get a theatre release in Titilagarh, I do want to release it in Bhubaneswar where I know it will be appreciated.
Regional cinema, especially Malayalam films, are doing so well. What do you think ails the Odia film industry?
I would disagree with the fact that the Odia film industry is ailing. I know of some great filmmakers in Odisha who are doing some really good films. But the problem here is that these films are not being marketed well. I have only one piece of advice for producers in Odisha. If your budget is Rs 1 crore, stretch it to Rs 1.5 crore to include marketing costs. How will people know about a film, especially if the budget is limited and it does not have big stars, if it is not marketed well? In Odisha, we have producers but not visionaries.
Your production model is often described as ‘alternate production’. What does that mean?
I would call myself a technical producer. I am not a money man. Usually we think of producers as pouring money into a film and then taking a step back. I am invested in the technical aspects of production, from sales to marketing to distribution. I believe in supporting a film and taking it to its logical end. I believe every film should be given the best chance it can have of shining. I am very passionate about films.
Have you ever wanted to direct films?
I made some shorts and documentaries but there is the matter of earning a livelihood. I have chosen to focus on the production aspect as of now.
Does your method of production lead to conflicts with the director?
Not at all. I think of a producer as the father of a film and of the director as its mother. Our family didn’t have a lot of money but I saw my mother managing the best she could with the resources my father would provide her with. I think of films like that. The director’s vision is final.
What do you think of films being released on OTT platforms like Netflix?
I do feel that youngsters today are missing out on the magic of watching a film in the hall, but films are doing well on such OTT platforms and I have no problems with them as such. In my personal capacity, I organise a film festival in New Delhi (Siffcy) for youngsters to get an experience of watching films on the big screen.
Do you think film festivals can help small budget films get exposure?
Yes, definitely. I have been going to Cannes for the past eight years and have visited other international and national festivals as well. In them, you meet like-minded people, get honest feedback on your film, and can even strike deals with other producers and broadcasters there. Quantity does not matter to me, quality does; the same holds true for film festivals. One should try to take the films to the credible festivals. Look at ‘Village Rockstars’, for instance. It’s a small Assamese film, but it created a sense of anticipation among the urban audience after doing the rounds of festivals.
EoM