When Roshni Dinaker decided to wear the director’s cap after working for more than 14 years as a costume designer in the Kannada, Tamil and Telugu film industry, she was confident about her skills and experience to tell her kind of a story for her audience. She says the decision to direct the film was an impulsive one. Initially, her plan was to produce a film. However, My Story ended up being produced by Roshni and her husband, Dinaker O.V., and also directed by her.
As her directorial debut releases today, Roshni talks about the story of
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Excerpts from an interview over phone…
There were reports that My Story was based on a tale told to you by your friend….
My friend did tell me a story and I do want that made into a film. But I have no clue from where people got the idea that
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And the title was actually the name of the hotel Shanker was staying in?
(Laughs) He had written several titles for the film on a piece of paper that was taken from the letter pad of the hotel he was staying in, ‘My Story Hotel Rossio’, Lisbon. The name of the hotel caught my eye and I thought it would be apt for the film. So I forwarded it to Prithviraj. He also felt it would suit the film and that is how the title was finalised.
What is My Story about?
It is about this relationship between Jay, a debutant filmmaker and Tara, a leading actor, a diva at the peak of her career. Jay, an aspiring actor, manages to persuade her to act in his first film and it is their story from then on. You know, there are people who travel with you in the journey of life, they are in your memories and they create your memories too; they touch your life and shape it; their presence or absence influence your life. My Story is the tale of two such people.
Why did you choose Portugal as the location of your film?
It is a less explored place and is so beautiful. We shot for 45 days in 13 places in Portugal. Moreover, Kerala and Portugal have ancient bonds that are evident even today in our food and language. There are so many sweets in Portugal that remind us of our food. When we reached Lisbon, Shah Rukh Khan had just about wound up the shoot of a song for his film. We also shot in Mysore, Chennai, Georgia and Madrid.
You achieved a casting coup by getting Prithviraj and Parvathy in the lead after their brilliant work in Ennu Ninte Moideen .
They have come up with flawless, brilliant performances. They were not acting but living the characters.
So, are you nervous as the film releases today?
Why should I be? I have given it my best and so have my actors and crew. I was very clear in my head as to how I wanted my film to be and I have worked with brilliant technicians such as cinematographer Dudley who filmed Chennai Express . Bishwadeep Chatterjee is the sound designer and Shaan Rahman is the music director.
So, you are in it for the long haul. Any new projects?
I am already working on Metamorphosis , a film that will be in Malayalam, Tamil and English. It is based on real stories, of people I have known. It is about three women going through the same situation but they react in three different ways. It is their perspective of the situation that guides them. I will soon begin shooting the film in New York and Bengaluru.
Growing up in Coorg, were you able to watch Malayalam films?
My father was a huge fan of cinema and so he used to take us to Kannur to watch Malayalam cinema.
Your favourite Malayalam films in recent times?
Oh, lots… Take Off, Sudani from Nigeria, Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil, Kuttanpillayude Sivarathri, Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum...