The prolific producer Dr D Rama Naidu, who has earned a name in the Guinness Book of World Records for producing more than 120 films in the maximum number of languages, has posted yet another milestone in his career. For the first time, deviating from the run-of-the-mill mainstream cinema, he has made an unusual film tentatively titled Hamari Beti about the trials and tribulations of a deaf and dumb girl in the backdrop of family and societal conflicts and pluralism. The film is written, photographed and directed by the renowned cinematographer and filmmaker A.K. Bir, who has also penned the lyrics. The film is based on the life of a real-life teenaged girl of Bhubaneshwar and features the actual girl named Shakti Swaroop as the heroine. Govind Namdeo and Anuradha Patel co-star in the film. Dr. Naidu spoke to Businessofcinema.com’s Johnny Vaz.
Why there was a long gap between Kuch Tum Kaho Kuch Hum Kahein and Hamari Beti?
In 2002 I won my election as a MP and I told to myself I will only concentrate on politics, so I said goodbye to films.Now I am not MP anymore so I am giving full time to films. Recently I have completed a Malayalam film and Hamari Beti. In October I will start a Marathi film, followed by Gujarati, Bhojpuri and Hindi. I want my name scribed in Guinness Book of World Records as maker who made films in all languages.
How was Hamari Beti born?
When Director A K Bir narrated the subject of this deaf and dumb girl from Bhubaneswar, I almost immediately decided to make a film based on the subject. And I must admit that at the end of the day, I am proud to be the producer of this project. You have to see the film to believe the way Mr. Bir has extracted work from the deaf and dumb girl, without many retakes. As a result, the film got completed within the stipulated time of 35 days, and a budget of 1.5 crores.
Despite being an immensely resourceful producer why did you not choose established stars for the film?
I have worked with almost all the big stars of the country. The subject of Hamari Beti was such that I did not want to defuse the main theme by taking on stars with an image. The film required intense actors. That is why my principal support cast has Govind Namdeo and Anuradha Patel, playing the girl’s parents. As for big star cast films, I have planned a blockbuster in Hindi after the release of Hamari Beti, to be made under the banner of Suresh Productions.
Is Hamari Beti targeted for awards?
My Telugu films have won several State Awards. My film in Oriya Dharmadevta too won critical encomium. And surely, for Hamari Beti , I do expect several national and international awards. Awards are an acknowledgement of exemplary creative work. See the film and judge yourself, whether it merits an award or not. Hamari Beti is being entered at the upcoming Cannes International Film Festival too, besides various other fetes.
