I would divide the making of a movie into 4 major parts. The pre-production, shooting, post-production and release. Each of these elements need to be given proper scheduling and effort to make the entire movie a success.
As the civil engineers would put it, pre-production forms the foundation of the entire project. It is only with a strong pre-production product that a team can go ahead with other elements with confidence.
For us, it all started in June 2010, as we all gathered around the table, looking at the bunch of papers, reading through it, discussing various sections in it. It was the first draft script of Jaihind Film. All our office people were more than excited in getting this script transferred onto their computers, so that the dialogue version along with the screen play could be worked upon. Dad had done all the preliminary work to get the basic draft to a stage, and now it was the responsibility of the entire team to take it from here.
It took a solid 5 months work to get Jaihind to what it is now. From the late night discussions on the script, to the continuous scribbling of ideas even while traveling, our minds were always on getting the best thing for Jaihind. As the script neared it's completion, there were other things to take care of.
The composition of music had already started with Vikram-Sid and Krishnavardhan Kulkarni working hard on their songs. Little did they know that each of their songs would have to undergo a change of atleast 20 to 30 versions each, to come to what you would all be hearing. It was something that did cause us a lot of anxiety, but it has all paid off as we sit back and listen to the songs compositions. Not satisfied, but definitely happy.
Pre-production also includes finalizing the shooting locations. Since the script demanded an army setup, we wanted a location which was realistic with respect to the training grounds and the campus. Not in a mood to put any sets for the army scenes of the movie, the team headed out in finding a location close to the army setup. Then came the CRPF to the rescue. They had a perfect training location, officers mess and resendtial campus at their Yelahanka base, and it was just a matter of time before we finalized the location. With this, the major shooting location was finalized.
Finalizing the cast, believe me, is such a head ache that it is best left for the director and the story writer to decide. To support the lead character in the script, we were looking for a matured face who could carry out what it takes to be an army officer's wife. And, somehow, the entire team could think of no body but Pooja Gandhi who could give justice to this character and as you will see, she was our instant choice. It was a "Thrill" in getting Master Thriller Manju as the stunt director with Shobraj and Satyajeet playing the negative role. We decided that Malur Srinivas would make us dance at his tunes, while Ramesh Bhat would complete our selection process for the cast and the crew. Phew, tough one that was !!!!
As for my preparation., I decided to have the live experience of an Army Captain on duty. I chose MEG and Centre, to take up my coaching. Although having been brought up in an Army environment from my childhood, this experience was different, since I was the one here dawning the uniform and marching in the parade ground taking lessons of how an Army captain should walk, talk, command and go about his routine. It was tedious taking all the march past lessons, drill sessions and weapon training sessions, but I am sure without those, I would never have been so comfortable with the uniform as I was while facing the camera. Hats off to all our officers and jawans who do this day in and day out.
With most of the pre-production work done, we headed towards holding the mahurtha of the movie and to begin our journey as a team in the making of Jaihind.
As the civil engineers would put it, pre-production forms the foundation of the entire project. It is only with a strong pre-production product that a team can go ahead with other elements with confidence.
For us, it all started in June 2010, as we all gathered around the table, looking at the bunch of papers, reading through it, discussing various sections in it. It was the first draft script of Jaihind Film. All our office people were more than excited in getting this script transferred onto their computers, so that the dialogue version along with the screen play could be worked upon. Dad had done all the preliminary work to get the basic draft to a stage, and now it was the responsibility of the entire team to take it from here.
It took a solid 5 months work to get Jaihind to what it is now. From the late night discussions on the script, to the continuous scribbling of ideas even while traveling, our minds were always on getting the best thing for Jaihind. As the script neared it's completion, there were other things to take care of.
The composition of music had already started with Vikram-Sid and Krishnavardhan Kulkarni working hard on their songs. Little did they know that each of their songs would have to undergo a change of atleast 20 to 30 versions each, to come to what you would all be hearing. It was something that did cause us a lot of anxiety, but it has all paid off as we sit back and listen to the songs compositions. Not satisfied, but definitely happy.
Pre-production also includes finalizing the shooting locations. Since the script demanded an army setup, we wanted a location which was realistic with respect to the training grounds and the campus. Not in a mood to put any sets for the army scenes of the movie, the team headed out in finding a location close to the army setup. Then came the CRPF to the rescue. They had a perfect training location, officers mess and resendtial campus at their Yelahanka base, and it was just a matter of time before we finalized the location. With this, the major shooting location was finalized.
Finalizing the cast, believe me, is such a head ache that it is best left for the director and the story writer to decide. To support the lead character in the script, we were looking for a matured face who could carry out what it takes to be an army officer's wife. And, somehow, the entire team could think of no body but Pooja Gandhi who could give justice to this character and as you will see, she was our instant choice. It was a "Thrill" in getting Master Thriller Manju as the stunt director with Shobraj and Satyajeet playing the negative role. We decided that Malur Srinivas would make us dance at his tunes, while Ramesh Bhat would complete our selection process for the cast and the crew. Phew, tough one that was !!!!
As for my preparation., I decided to have the live experience of an Army Captain on duty. I chose MEG and Centre, to take up my coaching. Although having been brought up in an Army environment from my childhood, this experience was different, since I was the one here dawning the uniform and marching in the parade ground taking lessons of how an Army captain should walk, talk, command and go about his routine. It was tedious taking all the march past lessons, drill sessions and weapon training sessions, but I am sure without those, I would never have been so comfortable with the uniform as I was while facing the camera. Hats off to all our officers and jawans who do this day in and day out.
With most of the pre-production work done, we headed towards holding the mahurtha of the movie and to begin our journey as a team in the making of Jaihind.
