Basking in the success of  Village Rockstars, which bagged 65th National Film Awards for Best Feature Film and is 2018’s Oscar nomination from India, Das feels that she has a long way to go. This actor turned self-taught filmmaker talks to Sangeeta Yadav about finding her calling in filmmaking and her experience of making this filmNational Award winning film Village Rockstars has been nominated for an Oscar. What does this mean to you?

I never expected that it will get an Oscar nomination. It is a poignant tale of 10-year-old Dhunu, played by Bhanita Das, from a village in Assam, who dreams of forming her band and becoming a rockstar. It has become not just my film but of many other  who is taking it to various places. After the Oscar nomination, Village Rockstars has now become a mainstream film. PVR Vakaao is doing a special screening and has already been running houseful in theatres in Assam  and other cities.

What’s the response?

It has brought Kalardiya village in Chaygaon and its people into the limelight. People in Assam always complain and have laid back attitude. They live in a comfort zone and have a carefree life. It took me four years to make this film. Initially, people from that village perceived Village Rockstars as just another film with no big screen ambitions. They had never got this kind of exposure and they can’t believe the response they are getting.

They can’t believe that they have become popular actors. The entire village is celebrating and every single person who has helped me to make this film has a sense of victory. Families are going to cinema halls to watch it. People are gifting tickets so that others can also go and watch it. This film is going to change a lot of things for me and many others.

Where did you get the inspiration?

The film sends a message that you can enjoy life to the fullest and that real happiness doesn’t lie in materialistic things. How it is important to unlearn. When I shifted to Mumbai to learn acting and filmmaking, I realised that people were running after something or the other all the time. I was not able to adapt this culture.

People don’t understand that Nature plays an important role in life. In the hustle and bustle of city life, you deprive yourself of the pleasures that you derive from Mother Nature. I am happy that the message that I wanted to give through this film has been conveyed to the audience worldwide.

You made this film on a shoestring budget. What compromises did you have to make?

I wanted space and freedom to make this film the way I wanted to. When you take money from others, there are many conditions that you have to adhere to. I shot this film with limited resources — one camera and natural light. Post production activities required a lot of money. I didn’t compromise on the quality of my work. That is why it took a lot of time.

How was your experience working with children?

The relationship I developed with the children is the most beautiful thing that happened through this project. I got to learn so much from them.

They have something which is very special and powerful. They were the ones who helped me in making all my film and they worked very hard for each shot. They were ready to support and if I need anything, they gave their best. We once had to shoot in a very remote area and told them to be careful. They turned around and said: Don’t worry.

We are your bodyguard and will be there around you all the time’. They have grown up now. When I look at them, I feel proud to see their development.

What is your style of filmmaking?

Lack of basic infrastructure and resources will not stop me from making a film. I believe in making the best use of the resources I have. Filmmaking is an art which has grown by leaps and bounds.

Advancement in technology has been the real driving force behind this. But I feel the emotion is the key that can take you places; something that no advancement can. I follow my intuition, learn and improve  my craft. Each time, I try to do something different. People inspired me a lot.