I am own master: Sushma Reddy

She’s a video jockey, model, actress and a popular face in several ad ment campaigns as well. Enjoying her newfound role as a producer, Sushma Reddy says she is busier than ever, which she knows is the whole deal about working back stage!

Though she started her production house — Seven Island Studios — along with Sanjay Bhattacharjee in 2009, there is more work coming their way now. “We are trying to finalise the next project and have even spoken to a popular star for the lead. We are just waiting for the papers to be signed before we make an official announcement. This one is sure to be bigger than my first venture, Dus Tola,” promises Sushma Reddy.

But what got Sushma interested to go behind the camera? “I wanted to try something exciting and signed up for a film-making course in New York Film Academy. The amount of learning that happened during the course was immense and that pushed me to start a production house which is really a tough job,” says Sushma.

By handling the production side of film-making, she says that her studio lends opportunities for writers who are thinking fresh. She says, “I wanted to give a different road map for my studio. I want to work with young writers who come out with ideas that are contemporary and commercial. We also want to elevate it to another level by having a set of in-house writers.”

Having been in front of the camera for several years, how does it feel to be on the other side of the table? “It’s totally a different feeling working backstage. The labour work is intensive as we constantly need to meet actors, directors and other crew members. Being a producer, you are responsible for everything that happens in your movie. But it’s great to feel that you are the master of your ship,” says an excited Sushma.

With women in all fields of film-making, she says that the perceptions too have changed.

“With several actors like Lara Dutta, Dia Mirza among others starting up their own production houses, the overall perception about women in the industry has changed. I’ve probably changed the way I dress up when I am visiting the sets, but there is no gender bias. The bigger issue here is to convince people.” So, can she foresee directing in the future? “Eventually, I would want to settle down to writing...but that needs more inspiration,” she signs off.

c_sharanya@dnaindia.net