Krishnaswamy Shrikanth Iyengar, director of ‘Ammulu’, a 26-minute 43-second Telugu documentary presented by Andhra Pradesh Film, TV and Theatre Development Corporation in association with Kartaal Productions, has a refreshing take on film-making. He does not misuse his creative licence to jeopardise his subject’s dignity.
A case in point is his film, ‘Ammulu’ wherein he stuck to an accurate portrayal of his protagonist, a 4-year-old girl, living in ‘primitive’ conditions, as he puts it, who chooses to don the greasepaint despite waning patronage of her family theatre.
“She wanted to learn music and dance so that she can support her family. Living in such primitive conditions, I was amazed at her dedication. I wanted to understand her motivation,” says the 38-year-old director.
Albeit, the film steers clear of any attempt at evoking sympathy, the story has a poignancy that lingers and strikes a chord with the audience, believes Iyengar. “The poster of the film is self-explanatory. At the film’s premier, last December, people told me that I should have dramatised the narrative a little, but I chose not to do, because that would be demeaning to the wonderful actors of Sri Vinayaka Natya Mandali (one of the six families in the 125-year-old Surabhi theatre group),” he says.
“They do not crib or complain.
So, it would be unfair on my part to attempt any such portrayal.
When they are putting in so much hardwork day in and day out ,why are they not blessed with viewership?," asks Iyengar.
According to Iyengar, the documentary also has an interesting narrative device — an eight-and-a-half minute song written by B Madhu and composed by G Bunty. “The song is the sutradhar of the film. Also, the visuals in the film are intense and specific to the kind of narrative that I have chosen,” says Iyengar. After a pause, he continues, “There have been number of documentary films done on Surabhi.
But, here I have tried to bring out a day in the life of Sri Vinayaka Natya Mandali through the eyes of Ammulu,” says Iyengar.
Although the makers had a reference script to work with, there were several impromptu changes during the making of the film. “Whatever came spontaneously, we captured in the film. We wanted it to be very natural,” he says.
Having worked as a co-director for films ‘Bluecross’ and ‘Sira’ with Tanikella Bharani, Iyengar has dedicated his documentary, 'Ammulu' to the maverick writer and director. “I had the privilege to work with him It helped me tremendously! This documentary is dedicated to him,” says Iyengar who also worked as an assistant director for films like Angrez (2005) and Stalemate (2007).
Guru Dutt, K Vishwanath, K Balachander and Mani Ratnam, are some of the legends of Indian cinema that Iyengar admires.
“If I do get any offers, I would love to do a commercial film as well,” he adds before signing off.