Being an independent filmmaker in Hyderabad is not that easy, says Sarath Kumar alias Sasi, a 39-year-old Independent filmmaker from the city.
"When I started 'Sheeshmahal', I never thought that it will cost me around me Rs 25 lakh, as I wanted to make a small budget film. I was lucky enough to manage funds through crowdfunding by friends and close relatives," he says.
'Sheeshmahal' is an upcoming film by the Telugu independent filmmaker, set against the backdrop of the Children's Film Festival, which happens in Hyderabad once in two years.
We shot for 27 days and the film features nearly 20 new actors. We shot in the 'guerrilla filming' style at many locations in Hyderabad with a 5D set up. The DOP was done by V.S Ganashekhar, a good friend of mine," he adds.
According to Sasi, 'Sheeshmahal' will definitely be a new kind of experience for the audience. He plans to release his film in different places like Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, etc.
The movie even managed to rope in musician Rahul Ram, from the band 'Indian Ocean'.
Sasi aims to make a movie especially on Telangana, as "we don't have any movies from our new state after the bifurcation. People should know more about Telangana. Nobody knows what comes after Secunderabad."
When it comes to his favourite filmmaker, he really appreciates 'Mira Nair' and her working style, and her type of realistic cinema.
"We finished the shooting, editing and dubbing and what was left is crowdfunding which will really help us release the film," he adds.
"Crowdfunding is not that easy especially in cities like Hyderabad, where people don't like to donate for these kind of films," Sasi adds.
You can contact the makers of the film on the Facebook page here.