If it was not for his `Drishti' (vision), Goverdhan Egumamidi would have been like any other law student from Siddipet — an easy-going, movie-crazy, jean-clad youngster. But his vision for the future has changed the course of his present. Despite the degree and over two years of practice, he gave up law for the love of films. And the commitment he felt towards the society. Drishti is, hence, his contribution towards that social commitment.
A true-to-life film on, and for, the domestic workers, it has a take on various issues plaguing society. The film is a "docu-fiction", to quote the filmmaker, which captures one day in the life of a maidservant, Rangamma (played by Manga Reddy) in this case.
The protagonist is named after the woman who inspired Goverdhan to make the film by sharing her views, experiences and opinions on society. "Amma's (as I used to call Rangamma) soliloquies, her observations and thoughts during my seven-year-long association with her made me think, re-think and do something for, and about, maids without whom we cannot do in our day-to-day routine," says Goverdhan who dedicated the film to his 55-year-old source of inspiration.
Shocking though they may seem at the outset, the issues discussed in the film are the very vices society is constantly waging a war against — alcoholism, molestation, child sexual abuse, poverty, ill treatment of fellow human beings, apathy towards the elderly, and gossiping wily neighbours, among others.
"I saw society from Rangamma's point of view," vouches the filmmaker who screened the film for a handful of domestic workers on May Day at Ravindra Bharati.
Made on a shoestring budget, in a digital format, the film uses different kinds of lighting, and colours, to suit the mood of the people that particular frame focuses on. Visually appealing, the movie talks about the problems faced by maidservants. "At least 75 per cent of it got documented because of my interaction with about 700-800 of them, besides a few NGOs like the Progressive Organisation for Women (headed by Sandhya) that endeavour for their betterment," he says.
"I put in a lot of effort while making the film. And, I want it to reach the people I meant it for," he adds, thanking the few organisations that have agreed to take his film to the masses.
"This is like an art film with commercial values. It was just an expression of what I have been feeling for the past 10 years," says the filmmaker who is an avid fan of Bapu, Vamshi, and Roman Polanski, besides the legendary Guru Dutt whose influence, he feels, can be felt in his film.
"I tried not to make it boring, while telling them exactly what I have on my mind, by concentrating on the dialogue right from the scripting stage," says Goverdhan who wants to "become a filmmaker at the national level." Here's hoping the efforts of this sincere filmmaker pay off.
SHANTI NANISETTI
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