“Like most lovers of cinema in India, I was brought up by avid film-going parents. I was naturally drawn to the dream world of cinema and what unfolded on the celluloid,” comments emerging filmmaker, Akshata Honnavar. Mentioning Bollywood style works, Akshata offers up her philosophy, “Music, fantasy and dramatic dialogues are an integral part of the escapist fare of popular cinema. I am unashamedly influenced by the ‘larger-than-life’ characters and incredible situations that permeates almost every film story in India.” Her pleasure and escape brought her to New York Film Academy
… that’s where her journey began.
InDfilm spoke with this talented screenwriter/producer/director about her philosophies and her future.
As a screenwriter, do you have a certain mission or vision?
My approach to filmmaking is defined by what I want the audience to feel and experience, and most importantly remember. I like to surprise my audience with visuals and emotions that perhaps change the narrative and the structure of the film completely. My heart is not attached to any genre. I just want to tell a good story in the most intriguing way. Technique for me is just another character in the larger scheme of things. It’s not external to the storyline
Do you look for certain kinds of properties to produce as a producer?
Today, there’s a greater debate around the medium of cinema as it moves from theatres and television to OTT platforms and perhaps to immersive virtual experiences. The medium is just a vehicle and I believe the story or content will still drive audiences to watch or experience cinema. Everything changes and yet some things remain the same. Can one recreate the magic of a grandma narrating a story by your bedside? Those are the first seeds of cinema sown in our heads. Simple. Entertaining. And the best memories one can have. If my films manage to capture at least a small percentage of that experience, I would be grateful. My approach to filmmaking is defined by what I want the audience to feel and experience, and most importantly remember. I like to surprise my audience with visuals and emotions that perhaps change the narrative and the structure of the film completely. My heart is not attached to any genre. I just want to tell a good story in the most intriguing way
What do you consider your “style” as a director?
Cinema to me is an unforgettable journey of feelings framed together with engrossing sights and sounds. While there’s enough debate about the purpose of a film, but for me, if a movie, in part or whole, doesn’t touch you or surprise you, it doesn’t serve any purpose. I am a cineaste because I feel the power of cinema and how it can influence my thinking
What event in your life made you make the decision to join the cinematic community of the United States?
Italian Neorealism represented by movies like ‘Bicycle Thieves’ by Vittorio De Sica left a deep impression on my mind and taught me that films can be an instrument of social change. I am quite deeply influenced by Formalism and its manifestations. Camera, lights, sound, editing, etc. can transform or elevate the scenes and deliver surprise, suspense, serendipity and much more. The screen as an empty canvas is both intriguing and motivating, and perhaps also deeply scary for the limitless possibilities it holds. Though I may be influenced by some of the film movements, my endeavor would be to explore filmmaking with an unbridled mind. Perhaps, rewrite a few rules.
What are you working on now and what’s next?
Currently, I have been grateful to work with multiple amazing projects, some of which include Chase (TV series), I will be script supervisor and continuity starting July 19 for nine episodes. Then I work with Bhakti Center, developing and subsequently producing a series of Master Class Educational Programs, and finally I will be part of the TV pilot for a series called Budabless, but I don’t have production dates on that yet.
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