Bangalore goes indie!

TOI tracks the trend of the increasing number of indie filmmakers in the city
Bangalore may be the silicon valley of the country, but with several techies leaving their high paying jobs to pursue filmmaking, it looks like the city is fast becoming home to many indie filmmakers as well. With recent reports suggesting that Bangalore has more short filmmakers than any other city in India, there is little doubt that the city is witnessing an abundance of creativity.
This craze has seen films like Arvind Kamath���������s Innuendo and Rabi Kisku���������s Software Hardware Kya Yaaron that was released recently.
Upside and flipside of making an indie film
Arvind, who recently held special screenings in Bangalore and Chennai, among other cities, of his film Innuendo, says, ���������The best part of making indie films is that you can tell the story in your own way. You don���������t really care about the money and it���������s all about the passion for filmmaking. It���������s also satisfying to contribute to a change in the staple diet of viewers.��������� However, Arvind says that there aren���������t enough supporters for such films. ���������In European countries, there are people who fund your films, but here that���������s not the case. Even if you find one, theatres are not willing to take your film. While it might be a well-made film, there are no audiences for your film,��������� he says.
Social media is a saviour
Filmmaker Pawan Kumar, who started off his career by making short films and later struggled his way through to get to Sandalwood says that online medium is a breather for indie filmmakers. ���������Initially, it was difficult for indie filmmakers to showcase their films. With the burgeoning social media, it���������s now easier for them to show their films. They can upload their movies on video-sharing portals to get audience reaction. These movies trend on social networking sites,��������� he says.
Bangalore is not a place for indie films
While the city might see an increase in the number of short filmmakers, Rabi Kisku points out that Bangalore isn���������t really the place for indie films.
���������International festivals help us���������
There is no support system for indie films here. Chennai or Hyderabad are better places to showcase short films. It���������s not just about the response from the audience, but also the guidance and support from fellow movie lovers in helping you get a studio or slash prices. Take for instance my film Software Hardware���������, I finished the movie in January, but I had to run around for almost six months to get a censor certificate. Finally, I���������d to get the censor certificate from Chennai. Though the city has a pool of talented filmmakers, there isn���������t enough awareness,��������� he explains. Young filmmaker Bharath MC adds, ���������Indie films is not an industry. If you think that you���������re going to sell your movie to an audience, you���������re wrong. Some people don���������t understand that these movies are made for a niche audience. It���������s advisable to have an alternative career as these films will not fetch any profit.���������
Has the viewership changed?
Do indie filmmakers have enough audience? Arvind explains, ���������We can���������t really blame the audience in India as they���������ve been used to watching more commercial movies than short films. And even if you release indie films, you don���������t see a flock of people coming together to watch your movie. It���������s mostly through word of mouth that people come to see your film. But there are people who are part of indie filmmaking websites, and who���������ll watch these films.���������
How can the scenario be improved?
Filmmaker Swaroop Kanchi of Bengaloored fame says, ���������Though it hurts not to have an audience for indie films, international film festivals help us. There have been instances where a foreigner would know about your movie that even your friends wouldn���������t know of. The fact that your movie has been screened at a film festival is creatively satisfying.��������� Pawan adds, ���������There was an initiative called the ���������Bangalore Rooftop Film Festival���������, where we had a chance to showcase our film. Sadly, it���������s not active anymore.��������� Rabi also says that government should lend support for such films. ���������I���������ve noticed that the Tamil Nadu government has a set of guidelines for such films. There should be some kind of political support to showcase indie films in Bangalore,��������� he says.