oHERALDo :: Thanks Maa – a neo-realistic film

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Thanks Maa – a neo-realistic film

Thanks Maa – a neo-realistic film
Realistic cinema is gaining popularity in India and what looks like an encouraging trend, Bollywood is
witnessing a rise in films made on real subjects. Filmmakers are now wanting to experiment and actors
Local News Go now long for offbeat roles. Another addition to this series is the new Hindi film 'Thanks Maa' by debutant
director Irfan Kamal. 'Thanks Maa' is based on the sensitive subject of abandoned children in Mumbai.
Thanks Maa is premiering in IFFI 2008 today evening at the Kala Academy. Jagdeep Pokle spoke
exclusively with Irfan Kamal.

Experts:
Q Tell us more about your new film Thanks Maa..
Irfan: Thanks Maa deals with the disturbing subject of abandoned kids, which we see in Mumbai and also
other parts of India. In Mumbai, children are abandoned by their near ones and also others due to various
reasons and then thrown on roads, in gutters, in dustbins etc. The story of the film revolves around 5 kids,
with interesting names- Municipality, Soda, Sasuri, Cutting and Dheddshaana. A 12-year-old street kid
named Municipality while on the run from the reformatory, finds and saves a 2-day old abandoned baby
from becoming prey to a street dog. Municipality takes the onus on him of finding the mother of the
abandoned baby himself. I read an interesting article of Nilanjana Sen Gupta in a newspaper which
inspired me to make a movie on this subject.
Q So how is the look of the film?
Irfan: Well, it is very hardhitting, very raw, which uses very street language, Mumbaiyya language.
Q How would you categorise your film?
Irfan: I would call it a neo-realistic film. It is an amalgamation of realistic with commercial cinema.
Q How did you select your child actors?
Irfan: That was a very tedious task. We had audition of about 200 kids, out of which we short-listed 20
kids, and then zeroed on 5 talented kids-Sham, Salman, Fayaaz, Almas and Sakshi. We trained them for a
period of 2 months.
Q What was the biggest challenge in making a movie like this?
Irfan: It was to find real locations in Mumbai... which was a painstaking task. Then, of course shooting
with kids, while training them simultaneously.
Q What type of cinema do you believe in?
Irfan: I like to view all types of films from various countries. You would be surprised, but my favourite
director is Manmohan Desai, who made larger-than-life movies. Basically I like films which are intriguing.
Q Do you think realistic films are increasing in Bollywood?
Irfan: Yes, I do feel. I think the real test lies in making realistic films entertaining. Realistic films based on
offbeat subjects can be entertaining as well.
Q What do you expect the movie to do for you... or for the society?
Irfan: The movie is made on a budget which is not usual in this genre. I’m not aiming for a commercial
success, even though I have a strong feeling that the movie will be well accepted by our audiences. I
would think our success story would lie if even one individual decides not to abandon a child. If my movie
makes a person change his heart, that would give me immense satisfaction. The jury of the IFFI were
encouraging to select my film for the premiere section.

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