For Vivek Gomber, actor-cum-producer of the film Court, it was the close reality of the script of the film with the happenings in Indian society that made him put all his earnings at stake. He will be in Hyderabad on June 12 for the screening of the film.
Says Vivek, “Long ago, before leaving India, I worked with Chaitanya Tamhane, writer and director, in a play Grey Elephants in Denmark. After completing my studies in Singapore, I came back to India and found Chaitanya narrating a script that completely internalised my thoughts. It was a very big gamble that I started thinking of supporting the whole project and had to even think of how Chaitanya would survive the initial days of work. I offered him a monthly stipend. Our friendship has been very strong and we were keen not to follow any ‘formulas’ or ‘masalas’ of film making. We got around 10,000 Euros from Rotterdam’s Hubert Bals Fund and the rest was from my account. From childhood, I have been a movie buff and was inclined towards acting. But my role as an actor in this movie was not easy and I too had to go through audition.”
Vivek remembers his earlier visits to Hyderabad. “I recall visiting Hyderabad for theatre festivals and I always remember that people from Hyderabad love art and culture.
“Life in the entertainment industry is not as rosy as it looks. There have been times when there has been immense struggle to get enough ‘screens’ to release the film. There has been tremendous success for the film in the international markets with nearly 32 awards, including big financial purses and the 62nd National Film festival award for best feature film. I must say that even today, there is demand for content that has quality. But at the end of the day, I understand that the tension of putting one’s money into production is nerve-wracking. I continue to explore offers of acting and production where one can have ‘full control’ of the project.”
