Indian Director Nishanth Kalidindi Explores Artists’ Double Lives in Rotterdam-Bound ‘Theatre’

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The movie titled ‘Theatre,’ which is the second feature by Indian filmmaker Nishanth Kalidindi after his popular film ‘Kadaseela Biriyani’ (2021), is set to have its world premiere in the Harbour section of the International Film Festival Rotterdam.

Nestled in the heart of the historical city center, once a French colony named Pondicherry, I find myself immersed. Unlike the more frequently depicted spiritual township of Auroville, this place is my home. The story unfolds around me, focusing on Das, a man who juggles two roles – that of a cowherd and an actor in our local theater troupe. However, his tranquil life takes a turn when Guna, a former funeral drummer turned stage musician, re-enters the scene. As we strive towards perfection under the guidance of our novice director, tensions simmer amongst us, friends and colleagues.

Kalidindi shared with EbMaster that the idea for the movie originated long before ‘Kadaseela Biriyani.’ He spent a significant amount of time observing the Indianostrum Theatre group in Pondicherry while they were developing their stage productions. What particularly resonated with him was the director’s approach to working with actors, which involved them in the entire improvisation process.

As a movie critic, I found myself captivated by the innovative filmmaking technique employed by this director. Instead of following a traditional script, they chose an improvisational approach during production. “The story unfolded spontaneously on set,” Kalidindi elucidated, “and the writing was constantly refined throughout filming.” The result was a unique blend of fresh ideas and dynamic visuals that emerged from ambiguous situations. What initially seemed daunting was ensuring the actors remained inspired and felt fulfilled with each scene captured.

Kalidindi remarks that since watching these performers felt like a genuine, everyday experience for him, he wanted to capture those moments authentically. This authenticity was important even if he was ultimately telling a fictional story, as what truly mattered was maintaining the essence of their real lives.

The movie is being produced by Barycenter Films, owned by Thanikachalam S.A. in Bangalore, together with Maestros & Panoramaas from Pondicherry. The production team consists of Thanikachalam, who has previously produced the film “In Retreat,” which was entered into Cannes 2024, as well as Vinoth Thanigasalam, a sound designer with experience on films like “Kadaseela Biriyani” and “Seven Seas Seven Hills” (Rotterdam 2024); Neil Sebastian, who transitioned from being a production designer to becoming a producer; Hestin Jose Joseph, a cinematographer who has worked in Malayalam, Telugu, and Tamil cinema; and the director Kalidindi himself.

Thanikachalam appreciates the authenticity found in movies directed by local filmmakers. He believes this approach is ideal for independent films, given their grounded nature. He also mentions that these films, such as “Theatre”, beautifully depict the true Tamil culture and everyday life of Pondicherry city, contrasting with the international community of Auroville often portrayed in cinema.

This movie employs a distinctive funding approach similar to Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s Artists Equity, which is an artist-driven production company that forges business collaborations with filmmakers to boost their creative ideas. In this case, the main creative team members like the cinematographer, set designer, and sound designer also function as producers. As Thanikachalam explains, “It’s usually challenging to secure financing for indie films, but in this instance, it was relatively less complex.

Kalidindi expresses that he hopes the viewers will grasp the dedication these individuals have towards their artistic endeavors, even if it means sacrificing other aspects of their professional lives,” says Kalidindi. “What truly matters is their unwavering determination, rather than their skill level at that particular point in time. In essence, this film symbolizes that commitment and passion.

After Rotterdam, the producers aim to secure global sales agents and arrange theatrical releases in India. Simultaneously, they are working on “Dupleix and Dubash,” the next film by Kalidindi set in Pondicherry, as a joint production with other parties.

The production company, Barycenter Films, is also supporting the project of longtime filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli titled “The Sky and the Cat,” which is located in Thirthahalli, within the Shimoga district of Karnataka, southern India, that’s adapted from a story by U.R. Ananthamurthy.

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2025-01-30 16:47