Meet Chukwuma from Chandigarh

Chukwuma is a Nigerian who hadbeen trying to learn filmmaking since long. However, after he was denied visaentry into some countries like the US and UK, India welcomed Chu and he finallylearnt the ropes at satirist and actor Jaspal Bhatti’s filmmaking schoolin Chandigarh. “Some bit of the discrimination depicted in the film also finds resonance with Sikhs and Indians who had to face visa denials post 9/11 in the US,” says Savita Bhatti, actor and Jaspal’s wife who runs the filmmaking school. However, Chu says the central theme of the film is “struggle for survival.” The story of a frustrated advertising copywriter, Jude, whose determination and the will to survive keeps him afloat through struggles, is partly autobiographical for Chu. “I haven’t had personal experiences on discrimination but have had on denials, which feel worse than discrimination, especially when your intentions are genuine. I initially applied for a filmmaking course in the US, my documents were complete and the school had offered me admission. But I was denied entry visa. I then applied to the UK thrice, and was denied on all occasions. Since I chose India, I haven’t had any regrets. I also found out the visa denial experience is also major here in India so I felt it is an emotional truth worth exploring,” says Chu, “It also teaches the importance of accepting one another regardless of race – there’s only one race and that’s the human race. White people, black people, brown people and any other colour of people fall under this.” This bi-cultural,feature film has been shot both in Lagos and India, (in parts of Punjab andChandigarh) and Chu is aiming for its worldwide release in July this year.