'Killa' scores big at Berlin film festival with camera work, acting

PUNE: Marathi film 'Killa', directed by Avinash Arun, won the Crystal Bear for the best film awarded by the Children's Jury in the Generation KPlus competition category at the 64th Berlin International Film Festival.
At the festival which concluded on Sunday, the film also received a special mention by the international jury in the category.
"It was my directorial debut.My team and I put in hard work. We never thought it would win such a prestigious award. I had thought of the idea when I was studying at the Film and Television Institute of India. Luckily, I got a producer for the film last year. The award is a boost to my confidence," said 28-year-old Arun from Solapur. He studied cinematography at FTII and graduated in 2011.
The 110-minute film, written by Arun along with Tushar Paranjape and Omkar Barve, portrays a difficult period in the life of young Chinu. He has a hard time settling into his new home in the countryside after his mother decides to relocate from the big city following his father's death.
The jury, which comprised eleven children and seven teenagers, in its citation, said, "This film convinced us in all respects: with good camera work and great actors, and also because of its incredibly beautiful nature images which blend perfectly with the music. This film made us all want to discover India."
Arun said the script of the movie was developed at the NFDC film bazaar's work-in-progress lab in 2013. "We started shooting last July and the main photography of the film was completed in 28 days over three months," he said. Arun is now working as a cinematographer for filmmaker Nishikant Kamat's untitled film starring Irrfan Khan.
The film has been produced by Madhukar R Musle, Ajay G Rai, Alan McAlex under the banner Jar Pictures and is being presented by Mumbai-based M R Filmworks. The cast includes Amruta Subhash, Archit Deodhar and Parth Bhalerao among others.
'Killa' is the third Marathi film to premiere and compete at the Berlin film festival. It is the only Indian feature film to be given the prestigious award. It will be released in May.