Eeb Allay Ooo producer Shwetaabh Singh says I am not making films for festivals or just 100 people
India Today
Producer Shwetaabh Singh's Eeb Allay Ooo is currently streaming on Netflix. In an exclusive interview with IndiaToday.in, he speaks about what made him back the film and also how getting recognition is a struggle for independent films.
Shwetaabh Singh has produced Eeb Allay Ooo and Aise Hee. Both films won accolades on the national and international film festival circuit. However, Shwetaabh, who is an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), feels winning recognition at film festivals doesn't help films much. In an exclusive conversation with IndiaToday.in, Shwetaabh Singh speaks about his two films, and how things are still difficult for independent filmmakers despite the emerging digital medium.
Shwetaabh Singh's Eeb Allay Ooo was selected for the 70th Berlin International Film Festival. It won the Filmfare Award for the Best Film (Critics) in 2021, and awards at the MAMI Film Festival. On the other hand, his second film, Aise Hee, received a Special Jury Mention at the Busan International Film Festival. It was also awarded the Film Critics Guild Award at MAMI. Currently, Eeb Allay Ooo is streaming on Netflix. Directed by debutant filmmaker Prateek Vats and written by Shubham, the film revolves around a young migrant worker, Anjani Prasad (played byShardul Bharadwaj), who struggles to find a foothold in his new job as a monkey repeller.
When asked what made him choose to back these two films, Shwetaabh said, "I am a student of FTII. So, the kind of cinema I was drawn to was mostly like those. Films that excite me are films that have a certain style to them. There is something unique in it. I am not talking about a story or concept. A film is a director's medium and there are so many different voices involved there. I was looking out for unique ideas and unique presentations and I found them in these two scripts. It was not just about what the story is saying but also the idea of 6-7 film students coming together and making something in a very distinctive manner. I know both the directors, as they are my seniors from FTII."
However, making independent films has its own set of challenges. "Challenges are many. The money aspect as well as getting recognition. We are not making films for festivals. I am not making films for 100 people. When I am backing a project, I want it to reach out to millions of people so that they know that yeh log bhi exist karte hain (these people exist)," he added.
Here's the trailer of Eeb Allay Ooo:
