After the delayed release of Haraamkhor in 2017, filmmaker Shlok Sharma has just brought out his new short film titled Beautiful World via The Quint. Shlok, whose latest feature Zoo was premiered at the Busan Film Festival last year, had mentioned to me that the idea to make Beautiful World came to him after reading about the Bulandshahr gangrape incident in 2016.
Here’s my brief chat with Shlok on the making of Beautiful World.
Q1. What was the genesis of the idea behind Beautiful World?
Shlok Sharma: As a film-maker, I have my own way of absorbing my environment and society and then reflecting it. The state of affairs around us is very disturbing. And I think as a survival mechanism, we as human beings, are programmed to not process the consequences of incidents/ situations which are extremely dark and disturbing - even so when we are not part of it. Which is why, despite so many incidents of brutal rapes and murders around us, we momentarily feel sad and then move on. Nobody stops long enough to think what the victim and the kins would be going through.
Whatever has to happen, happens in a flash. It’s always what follows - dealing with it - that takes a toll. And in most cases, I feel it will take as long as a lifetime to cope with something as traumatising as sexual assault. Maybe even longer.
Q2. Did you want to keep it as a silent film from the very start?
Shlok Sharma: What would one say in a situation like this? We don’t know the state of mind of a family who has just been through an ordeal like this. What would the father tell his daughter and wife who he was unable to defend? How would the mother console her daughter who too, was raped alongside her? It is a silent film because there is no need for words to express their pain and mind-set.
Q3. How did you happen to cast Swanand Kirkire for the role?
Shlok Sharma: To be honest, I had gone around with this idea to more actors. But it didn’t work out with them for one reason or another. When I finally went to Swanand Sir, he jumped on it with excitement. His energy and excitement was extremely contagious.
Q4. What were the logistics that went into making it, how many days did you shoot?
Shlok Sharma: We shot the film through 2 nights. And, of course, we had the best and the most selfless and hard-working crew to back it all. But I think the main credit goes to my actors. Shweta and I have worked before. But I was working for the 1st time with Swanand sir and Amruta (Subhash).
As an actor, this film is not an easy state of mind to predict. But they are all such amazing professionals who carried the emotional graph through the 2 days of shoot so seamlessly. Another name without whom, this film wouldn’t have been what it is, is my producer Navin Shetty. His faith and courage are unshakable. I am truly blessed.
Q5. The film makes quite an impact and carries a message through. What else would you like your audience to carry with them after seeing the film?
Shlok Sharma: It’s very difficult for me to say what someone will take back after watching this film. Everyone has their own perceptions and their own realities. As for me, I have gone ahead and expressed how something like this affects me.
You can watch Shlok Sharma’s short film Beautiful World here:
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