Biswanath Rath, a celebrated film director, screenwriter, editor and producer, is the Founder & CEO of BnR Films LLP, a Chennai based Film Production Company. He was born in Jeypore, Odisha. His firm produces Ad-Films, TV Commercials, Corporate Videos, Music Videos, Documentaries, Promotional Films, Short Films and feature films. Orissa Post interacted with this talented movie maker to delve deeper into his work and future projects.
Who inspired you to make movies?
Being a mechanical alumnus of NIT Warangal, I left my job at a top car manufacturing firm in 2010 to pursue my passion for writing and directing films. I shifted to Chennai to make this dream a reality. I invested a significant amount of time and effort in formal education in screenwriting and filmmaking (2010-2012) which in turn gave way to my multi award winning short film ‘Kar Bhalaa’ and film company ‘BnR Films LLP’.
Where did you learn the craft of creating films?
I completed my two years course in Screenwriting & Film Direction at ‘Screenwrite.in’, an institute founded by my mentor John Edathattil, who was the former HoD of Screenwriting Dept at LV Prasad Film & TV Academy, Chennai.
Have any of your movies received laurels on an international level?
All the ad-films/short films/music videos/documentaries produced by BnR Films (written-directed by me) have received a total of 139 awards and recognitions in the International Film Festival circuit. Out of total 139 fests mentioned above, 110 festival screenings have taken place outside India (USA, UK, Italy, Paris, South America, Australia, Russia and Afghanistan among others). My first social film ‘The Right Glass’ was based on child rights. It had received an award from the former Governor of Odisha S.C. Jamir.
Tell us about your upcoming movies and its theme.
My next project ‘WAR: Rescue, Release, Repeat’ is an international documentary series about a unique social initiative on rescue of wild animals. It is taken up by a dynamic team from my hometown of Jeypore in Koraput. This team is nicknamed ‘WAR TEAM’. It stands for ‘Wild Animal Rescue Team on Environmental Awareness and Management’.
Why are a majority of your movies based on small children?
Child labour is one of the many issues related to rights of children and happens to be the one which is prevailing widely. However, what is more concerning than the issue is people’s attitude towards it. My silent short movie ‘The Right Glass’ was to make people realize the harsh reality of our society. The film went on to receive 2 awards and 50 international film festival screenings.
In the present context, describe the perception of our society towards award-winning movies and directors?
Thanks to the digital media, the perspective towards award-winning films is changing rapidly. Young filmmakers, actors, writers, cinematographers, editors, sound designers, music composers and other technicians are realizing the importance of original and qualitative content over the so-called plagiarized scripts. I can see a positive trend, where award-winning films are deeply appreciated.
Chaitali Shome,OP
