This year, the modest Marathi film Harishchandrachi Factory has been selected as India's official entry for the 82nd Annual Academy Awards. Helmed by first-time director Paresh Mokashi, the film introduces the pioneer of Indian cinema, Dada Saheb Phalke, in an entertaining manner.
Mokashi -- who has written and directed Marathi plays like Sangeet Debunchya Muli, Mukkampost Bombilwadi and Lagnakallol over 20 years -- tells Patcy N what difficulties he faced while making this brilliant film, and his plan on making the film shine in Hollywood.
Firstly, tell us about yourself.
I have been associated with a theatre group called Theatre Academy in Pune. I have acted and directed plays in Marathi. I was born in Lonavala (a hill station near Mumbai).
What preparations have you done for the Oscars?
We are still figuring that out. We are doing our homework. UTV and Paprika Media will help us out for the Oscars. We will go to the US next month. We are speaking to directors and producers, who have promoted their films at the Oscars earlier.
What made you choose Dada Saheb Phalke as the subject for your film?
Why not? Nobody has made a movie on Dada Saheb before. I read his biography and learnt of his adventures of making movies. Today's generation don't know what about Dada Saheb went through to make India's first feature film (Raja Harishchandra). We just know him as the person on whose name awards are given out, or that he is the pioneer of Indian cinema. Our knowledge of Phalke ends there. But when I came across a biography and discovered his funny adventures, I decided to make a film on him.
Image: Director Paresh Mokashi explains a shot to an actor
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