Ad-man turned film-maker Nag Gottap had a choice between spending his life’s savings to buy a home for his family and following his passion. He followed his passion. His film, Sikharam-The Peak, which tells the story of a group of children living on the edge of society, has been nominated for the 17th International Children’s Film Festival to be held in Hyderabad.

Gottap, an ex-JNTU student, began his career with advertising. “I spent 12 years in advertising and was involved in making ad films. It was from there that I developed my interest in films,” he says . He left his advertising job in Mumbai and shifted back to his hometown, Hyderabad, and started working with various NGOs to make documentaries on communicable diseases. It was during this time that Gottap got the idea of making a film on children who lived on the edge of society. According to Gottap, making the film was the best decision he has ever taken. “It was a long debate, but my family was very supportive and I spent my savings making the film,” he says. The story revolves around a group of 13 tribal children, their challenges and how they overcome odds to save a mother’s life.

The story is actually based on some facts and is a tribute to the spirit and the will of people living life on the edge. “Living on the edge is like every day is your last day on earth,” opines the director. “Despite coming across them every day, we barely look at them,” he adds.

Most of the people associated with the film were new to the industry and this provided a raw freshness to the look and feel of the movie, including the background score. Sikharam maintains its sultry unseasoned feel throughout and this turns out to be its distinctive character.