He was eight he had acted in over 25 films and over 300 TV serials. At age nine, he directed his first film which won him the Golden lotus National Film Award for Best Children’s Film. Kishan SS, whose second movie C/O Footpath 2 has got a lateral entry into the Oscars, speaks with SHAlINI SAKSENA about his journey thus far
When most 3-year-olds are busy watching cartoons on TV, this toddler from Karnataka was walking the ramp. By the time he was eight, he had acted in over 25 films and 300 TV serials. Professionally known as Kishan SS, he was only nine when he directed his first movie C/o Foothpath starring the likes of Jackie Shroff and Saurabh Shukla.
At 19, his sequel film C/o Foothpath 2 has got a lateral entry into the Oscars. “First, one has to understand what lateral entry means. There are two categories — the general category where you have awards like Best Actor, Best director, Best Motion Picture, etc. The second is the foreign film. Here there is only one award. In lateral entry, one needs to promote the film in los Angeles, ensure that as many members see it and release it like a Hollywood movie so that one gets nominated in the general category. That is what I am doing with my film — C/o Foothpath 2. However, all this requires a huge budget. luckily for me, I don’t see roadblocks to show my movie is the US so that it gets a nomination,” Kishan explains.
He tells you that his interest in films began when he was on the sets. While most other children after a shot was over would run to their mothers, this four-year-old would spend his time with the cameraman wanting to know which lens was used for what kind of shot. “I would spend time with lightsman to find out what kind of lighting was required when, where and why. You can say I was very curious and inquisitive,” Kishan says.
“He told my father to send my photographs. From then on, there was no looking back. I was eight when I saw street children begging. I wanted to know why they were not going to school. The idea to make a movie on them took root. I wrote the story; the scripting was done by a senior journalist from Bengaluru. So many people in the industry came forward to help me. But I was clear about one thing, this was my movie. I had over 120 people in my team and cast stars like Jackie Shroff. But nobody treated me like a child,” Kishan recalls.
Then it was time to concentrate on his studies. But from to time he had to travel abroad to promote films in which he had acted. He passed his Class X with 93 per cent. As for graduation, he took permission from the State Government to appear for his Masters in multimedia directly. He had to prove he was qualified to do so and did it with flying colours. Kishan today, is in his fourth semester and busy with last minute preparation before he leaves for lA to promote his film.
As a director, Kishan is excited that his film has got a lateral entry. “One always aspires to be better. My first film got the Golden lotus National Film Award at the 54th National Film Awards. Naturally, the next stop had to be Oscars,” Kishan says. The reason why there is a controversy when India sends in its entry is because, there are always members in the selection panel who have personal favourites, he feels.
25-year-old Jalandhar boy Deep Pathak debuts with Kannad movie as lead in C/o Footpath 2. He speaks with SHAlINI SAKSENA about the film and his experience of working with Kishan SS
How did you get C/o Footpath 2IJ
I always wanted to be an actor and for that I came to Mumbai. As is with most artists who are looking for work, I too gave an audition. At that time I didn’t know that I was auditioning for a Kannad movie. This was in 2013; I was home for Diwali when I got a call. There was a Skype interview after which I was called to Bengaluru. It was here that I got to know all the details.
What is the movie aboutIJ
The movie is on juvenile crime. A lot of research has gone into a film. I play a mechanic who is a juvenile and gets into trouble after committing a crime. My character then takes the help of the system and finds out that instead of helping him to reform, he is pushed more into the world of crime. Playing such a role was definitely a challenge since I come from a middle class family where using bad language or taking drugs at age 14 is normal part of one’s life. But the movie shows all this and much more. I had to learn how to speak and behave like them. I had to understand their background and the reason why they take to a life of crime before I could get the emotions right.
You are from Jalandhar, this is a Kannad movie. Any problem with dialoguesIJ
Yes, most definitely. But it is a bilingual movie; the dialogues were in Hindi and Kannad. Therefore, the director needed a person form North India — me — and actors like Anees Bazmee and Esha Deol. But I had Kannad dialogues as well. But in order to emote properly, I would speak my lines in Hindi and during dubbing, I would speak the Kannad dialogues which were written in English. This way I somehow managed to get the emotions on track.
The director, Kishan SS is the world’s youngest, experience of working with him.
It was a learning phase for me. He is an extremely talented person who knows what he wants from his actors. He looks so experienced it is difficult to say that he is just 19. But considering that he directed his first film at age 9C/o Foothpath in 2006 and won many many awards, he has taught me many things. I would sit him at each stage of filmmaking and learnt the technicalities of it. I wrote a song as well so I turned a lyricist as well.
How was it working with co-stars like Avika Gor, Anees Bazmee and Esha DeolIJ
To begin with I was extremely nervous. I would sit and watch Avika Gor on TV; to actually come face to face with her a different experience. But she and Anees Bazmee were extremely nice and supportive.
You moved to Mumbai, why not debut with a Bollywood movieIJ
My aim was to always find work in a movie. It didn’t matter much to me whether it was a Bollywood movie or any other regional movie. Since this is a bi-lingual film , I am quite excited over the kind of reception it will receive.
How does it feel that the movie has been selected for Oscars that too as a lateral entryIJ
It is not every day that your debut movie gets selected for Oscars. It is a great feeling. Entry itself is fantastic for me and the team. It is more than a hit for me, now.