Regional literature remains largely unexplored in films: Sumedh Sarojini

Maanzar (The Cat), a Marathi short film directed by Pune-based film-maker, Sumedh Sarojini, will be screened at the third edition of the International Film Festival Ahmedabad (IFFA). Based on a short story by well-known Marathi writer Bharat Saasane, the film was shot in the city. The festival will be held from October 6-9.

Maanzar will be screened along with national award-winning film-maker Ketan Mehta’s Rang Rasiya and Anurag Kashyap’s That Girl in Yellow Boots.

Sarojini tells DNA that his film’s selection reiterates the fact that regional literature has tremendous potential to be explored in the form of films.

Tell us about your journey from a theatre artiste to a film-maker?
I work with Netex India Pvt Ltd, an e-learning company, but theatre has always been my passion. I used to act in plays and write scripts in college days. I also won awards at the state level. Later, I got involved in making short films such as Shabdkshitij, Office, Autumn Walk, Violin & Cabbage and Temporary Matter.

My script was short listed at Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Tum Bhi’, a script writing competition for short films. While working on short films, I
realised it is a strong medium of experimentation and art. You can
explore a lot through this medium and now it can be taken to people through various media, which was a problem earlier.

Maanzar is based on Bharat Saasane’s short story. Do you think short stories in Marathi are still unexplored?
It is true that Marathi short stories do not get the place they deserve. Very few Marathi readers have a liking for short stories.
However, we have talented writers like CT Khanolkar, Arti Prabhu, GA Kulkarni and Arvind Gokhale. Saasane’s stories make you think, they push you to explore and find answers. I, therefore, chose his story. I am also working on screenplay for a Marathi feature film based on another story by him.

Do you feel Marathi literature has the potential for international exposure through films?
I feel Marathi literature is largely unexplored. I also believe that it is regional literature that will give us international recognition, but
sadly we do not realise its potential. We make films and plays based on novels in other languages, then why not pick up works of our own writers? If you see international film festivals, almost all the films from other countries maintain their regional identities. They do not try to mould the characters or the story as per the liking of the international audience. We should do the same.

Tell us a little about Maanzar?
Maanzar was made with the help of friends and family members, who either agreed to work for free or for very nominal monetary returns. The film is about two old friends in the twilight years of their lives who are living with the fear of seclusion and death. They are on the verge of reality and hallucination, as a mirage of a black cat plays hide-n-seek.

The film features veteran theatre artistes Shriram Ranade and Anil Bhagwat. Maanzar has also won accolades at the International
Cultural Exchange (ICE) and a film competition by 1takemedia.