National Award-Winning Director Sudhanshu Saria on Launching Young Filmmakers

Sudhanshu Saria will bankroll two debut features by filmmakers Kumar Chheda and Raj Krishna, which are titled 'Pech' and 'Silverfish' respectively. While reflecting on his inspiration behind this production venture, the filmmaker opened up about his definition of cinema and why he believes that it's his responsibility to champion new voices in the cinema industry.

While talking to ANI, Sudhanshu Saria said, "I feel good cinema is good cinema and it's all about intention. So, for me, all the work I've done has always been about not just entertaining audiences but also about thinking about who this film is for. Who does it help? What are you trying to do? You know, there are films that just exploit the paradigm in order to make money."

He added, "There are many, many ways of being a filmmaker and, because producing is something I really enjoy and I'm very comfortable with, empowering these voices and helping these films get made gives me a different kind of satisfaction. The goal at the end of the day is absolutely and only to tell a good story."

On the social relevance of upcoming films 'Pech' and 'Silverfish', Sudhanshu Saria said, "I feel it is completely possible to make films which are financially responsible, profitable and are also thought-provoking. Films that ask us very relevant questions about our times. So, certainly, in those terms, both of these are also very socially relevant, very thought-provoking films."

Sudhanshu also believes that his National Award win for 'Knock Knock' has helped him to 'legitimise' his identity in the cinema industry, which helps him to promote and support the young filmmakers.

"I don't think I'll ever enter a room where someone won't say this is National Award winner Sudhanshu. So, that is the strange part where I feel like Suddanshu only, but I do think it allows people who care for me, who like my work, who want to support me and champion me. It gives them a way to legitimise me," said Saria.

He added, "It gives them a way to share that excitement with someone else and get them to say, meet this person and join the journey. So, I'm definitely very, very grateful for it. And you know, we all have those days when we feel we don't deserve the job. We all have those days when we feel we're not qualified for it. On those days, it's really helpful to just look over on the wall and see it hanging up there, reminding you that if you do the work and you work hard on some days, you do get lucky and, you know, things do work out."

According to Variety, 'Pech,' is written and directed by Kumar Chheda, is a young adult film examining class and marginalisation against the backdrop of Mumbai.

The project made its industry debut at the Bangkok International Film Festival's Pitch Market, where it claimed the jury prize, and has since attracted interest from international co-producers and sales agents, with multiple territories currently in discussions.

Whereas 'Silverfish,' co-written by Saria, is a horror film following a creature let loose in the tech corridors of Silicon Valley. It will mark Krishna's first time directing and writing at feature length.

Krishna's previous work includes the psychological thriller short 'Padmavyuha,' which starred Jaaved Jaaferi and had its premiere at the International Indian Film Festival of Toronto.

- ANI