Looking back at hunger
BIBHUTI MISHRA
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Rupashree Nanda on films and the future.
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I dried up all my resources but never compromised for lack of money.
Rupashree Nanda a product of the Mass Communication Research Centre, Jamia Milia Islamia is a freelance journalist with a focus on developmental issues. Her debut documentary Harvest of Hunger on food security and distress migration in Bolangir (western Orissa) won her the National Award for the Best Investigative Film. Here she speaks about herself, her film-making and her future plans.
Why did you want to make a documentary film?
"I have wanted to be a journalist since I was a child. This issue of people fighting hunger daily against heavy odds had always engaged me. I could have written on it; indeed I did. But I felt a documentary would give me a much wider canvas and more freedom to project the issue. Luckily I found Actionaid India as a producer.
What role did they play as producers?
I thank the producers Actionaid India for giving me a freehand. The film has of course overshot the rather meagre budget of a little more than Rs. five lakhs but I am sure they are going to sanction that.
I dried up all my resources but never compromised for lack of money.
Since you are from Bolangir you are well conversant with the society and the language i.e Koshali did it help?
Yes. People trusted me and supported me despite their own vulnerability. I became one of them
So what are your expectations?
I would fervently hope that the film brings about changes in the lives of these people who are just left to toil and die. We are arranging screening for policy makers and legislators too and I hope it leaves an impact. I have experienced powerlessness and poverty first hand while shooting the film and so could empathise with the people's lot. I just hope others do too.
As a woman didn't you face hurdles while working on the film?
Yeah I did. But I also could win the trust of people. I would not like to be a man despite everything
So are you looking at a career as a documentary filmmaker?
To be honest I don't think it is a viable proposition. I have to ensure my livelihood. I can't go on depending on my parents forever. So I think I would have to take up a job and then do what I love to do.
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