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Just Six

For Bush's eyes only

Film-maker Manishankar, on making a promotional film

DIRECTOR'S CUT Mani Shankar

Hyderabad was the only other city on U.S President George W. Bush's itinerary apart from Delhi. But how much does Bush know about our state capital? Considering that he had very little time at his disposal, the State Government decided to put together a short film that gives a brief account of Andhra Pradesh and its developments. Filmmaker Manishankar, who was assigned to do the task, gives us a brief account.

The film: When I was given this project by the AP government a few weeks ago, I put the shooting of my feature film on hold and travelled the length and breadth of the state.

The content: In about 20 days, we travelled across 4,000 kms and captured various facets of development in the state. After the completion of the film, the State Government sent it to Delhi so that President Bush could see it during his flight journey from Delhi to Hyderabad.

The USP: The short film, of six-minute duration, presents various aspects of the state - tourist destinations, IT Park, Apparel Park, ports, irrigation projects around the Krishna and Godavari belts and more. We got one of the best people in the field, Nikhil Kapoor, to do the voice over.

Clinton Vs. Bush: I had done a promotional film on AP during former U.S President Bill Clinton's visit to Hyderabad as well. But back then, I had only a week to make the film and the thrust was on development in IT. But this film, I feel, is visually superior and emotionally powerful. It captures not only IT, but also other areas of development.

In the offing: While working on this project, we got a lot of footage that will have a long shelf life. Drawing from this bank of visuals, as and when the need arises, various other films will be made to focus on other business sectors.

What next? In a couple of weeks, I will be getting back to my next feature film, Mukhbir, which stars Suniel Shetty, Om Puri and Sammir Dattani.

S.D.K

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