Setting a new benchmark for Odia movie-makers, New York-based Solila Parida has become the first woman from the State to produce a Hollywood film. Parida’s ‘Desires of the Heart’ is a love story based on reincarnation and has been directed by James Kicklighter, known for his short films and documentaries. The movie stars Val Lauren of ‘Sal’ fame and Alicia Minshew, popular for her role in daylight drama ‘All my children’ in the lead besides veteran Bollywood actor Gulshan Grover and Harsh Mayar (I am Kalam).
In the city to promote the film slated for release in April 2013, Solila, founder of DOTH Entertainment LLC, USA, is confident that the film, which has also been written by her, will touch the hearts of people all over the globe.
Shot in Savannah, Georgia and Bikaner, Rajasthan, the film has Rajesh Rathi (Chase, Apartment, Bhawander fame) as the Co-Director for India. Shedding light on the storyline, Solila says it revolves around Dr. Kris Sharma (Val Lauren), a psychiatrist from India, who comes to Savannah to practice and falls in love with Madeleine (Alicia Minshew) a local artist. And, then his family summons him back to get married to a girl of their choice. Amidst all confusions, Kris discovers some secrets that could change his destiny.
Solila, who is also the creative director for the film, informs that the age-old ‘Sati’ belief that if a woman dies in the funeral pyre of her husband, she gets him back in the next birth, has been beautifully used in her story.
The film is likely to be screened at Berlin Film Festival, Cannes, Milan, Venice and LA. While the premiere may be in Toronto, Solila assures that she would ensure that the movie gets released in the Odisha as well.
Jitendra Mishra, who is the associate producer of the film and has earlier worked for I am Kalam in the same capacity feels that the film also has a Bollywood flavour and will appeal to audiences.
Solila Parida, who has done a direction and production course from Hollywood Film Institute along with Business Management from USA and Fashion Designing from London, has earlier produced Kabir Bedi, Pooja Bedi, Moon Moon Sen starrer Hindi feature film ‘Vishkanya’ and two others, Koi Hai and Bandit Lovers, which was a crossover film.