RupKotha : A Short Film
Art & Deal Correspondent
Rupkotha shows how, sometimes, some incidents in life effect/hurt us so badly that they weaken us mentally and physically for the time being. In such a state ending one’s life seems to be the only solution and escape from all problems. But, hope should not be lost; one must be strong and willing to face any situation.
RUPKOTHA is a dream come true for the makers of this short film. Five friends from Silchar, a laid-back city in North East India. The short Bengali film was put together with a lot of heart and soul by Konad Bhattacharjee, Pranab Seal, Ayaan Dey, Manna Roy & Anirban Bhattacharjee. Konad had always dreamed of making films but, was never taken too seriously by anyone he mentioned his aspirations to, until the time he met Pranab Seal. Pronobda, as he fondly calls him, welcomed the idea and, hence, began the journey of RUPKOTHA. The short film, 45 minutes in length, was shot mainly in Silchar and nearby locations and concluded within a tight budget. The aesthetics are strong considering it is a first for almost the entire team, including the actors, cameraman, director and the editor. Partha Seal, Pronab’s older brother was also a major catalyst to the making of the film.
It was shot entirely on an ordinary Sony Handycam, excepting one song recorded by an HD video camera. The entire editing was done with the aid of a software called Pinnacle SU 12. The story of “RUPKOTHA” begins with a boy named Ayush, who has an accident and is compelled to stay home, alone, because of a fractured his leg. The protagonist receives messages from an unknown person and goes on to send his selfies across unthinkingly, the actor is quite convincing in his performance, the incidents that transpire over the next two days compel him to feel that he is not alone in the house. The film is thematically a suspense thriller with a hint of supernatural, directed with a simplistic yet intense method, the emotions are more in focus, rather than jazzy special effects that seem to be the locus of most films in the genre. The steady pace of the film manages to keep the viewer glued. The rawness of the actors is apparent in places but the superb direction and editing maintain the flow well, with an ability to evoke desired reactions and impact.
