<p>"Thanks to my frequent sojourns to Goa that I knew well about the problem of fast disappearance of Olive Ridley turtles. So, for my first movie I decided to have it as one of the plots," Raja said.<br /><br />The movie 'Hello Zindagi' would launch Mrunmayee, daughter of veteran Bollywood actor, Reema Lagoo in Bollywood.<br /><br />"However, the story primarily does not deal with the environmental issue. It acts as a catalyst. 'Hello Zindagi' is the story of Kavita, played by Mrunmayee, and her small-attempt to save this endangered species," he said.<br /><br />"As per their characteristic, these turtles return to the beach where they were born to lay eggs. If they do not return, it means we have lost them forever," the 32-year-old filmmaker informed.<br /><br />"Kavita identifies with the turtles, as she feels that both are fighting for survival and therefore decides to save their population," he said.<br /><br />"During a visit to Goa four years ago, locals who told me about the trade of turtle eggs. I was shocked to learn that all the eggs laid on the shore were sold off, and even the turtles were killed. I thought it is necessary that youth are aware of the gravity of this issue with a fine story backing it," Raja added. <br /><br />"Also, due care was taken to ensure that the movie did not turn into a documentary on turtles and their problem," Raja quipped.<br /><br />The movie also has made use of parts of footage from a documentary by producer Sunil Shanbag.<br /><br />"To translate the issue well onto the screen, I have used parts of footage from 'The Turtle People' by my friend and producer, Sunil Shanbag," he said.<br /><br />'Hello Zindagi' is a coming of age film in which the protagonist, Kavita, tries to rebuild her chaotic life by doing her built for the rare turtles.<br /><br />On the expected response given the facts that movie is releasing in March, which marks the return of cricket carnival IPL in India, and the different treatment being accorded to the story, Raja said he is optimistic.<br /><br />"If the movie is good, for sure people would go to the theatres. As it is, many may not be cricket buffs as now-a-days having a match is something very common," Raja said.<br />Raja, who hails from Haryana and is currently based in Mumbai, had won Kerala state film award for the Best Art Director for 'Akale' in 2004.<br /><br />The movie, produced by Amit Garg and co-produced by Suresh K Menon, would be released on March 5. The cast includes Kanwaljit Singh, Neena Gupta, Kitu Gidvani, Milind Gunaji and Amit Behl.</p>
<p>"Thanks to my frequent sojourns to Goa that I knew well about the problem of fast disappearance of Olive Ridley turtles. So, for my first movie I decided to have it as one of the plots," Raja said.<br /><br />The movie 'Hello Zindagi' would launch Mrunmayee, daughter of veteran Bollywood actor, Reema Lagoo in Bollywood.<br /><br />"However, the story primarily does not deal with the environmental issue. It acts as a catalyst. 'Hello Zindagi' is the story of Kavita, played by Mrunmayee, and her small-attempt to save this endangered species," he said.<br /><br />"As per their characteristic, these turtles return to the beach where they were born to lay eggs. If they do not return, it means we have lost them forever," the 32-year-old filmmaker informed.<br /><br />"Kavita identifies with the turtles, as she feels that both are fighting for survival and therefore decides to save their population," he said.<br /><br />"During a visit to Goa four years ago, locals who told me about the trade of turtle eggs. I was shocked to learn that all the eggs laid on the shore were sold off, and even the turtles were killed. I thought it is necessary that youth are aware of the gravity of this issue with a fine story backing it," Raja added. <br /><br />"Also, due care was taken to ensure that the movie did not turn into a documentary on turtles and their problem," Raja quipped.<br /><br />The movie also has made use of parts of footage from a documentary by producer Sunil Shanbag.<br /><br />"To translate the issue well onto the screen, I have used parts of footage from 'The Turtle People' by my friend and producer, Sunil Shanbag," he said.<br /><br />'Hello Zindagi' is a coming of age film in which the protagonist, Kavita, tries to rebuild her chaotic life by doing her built for the rare turtles.<br /><br />On the expected response given the facts that movie is releasing in March, which marks the return of cricket carnival IPL in India, and the different treatment being accorded to the story, Raja said he is optimistic.<br /><br />"If the movie is good, for sure people would go to the theatres. As it is, many may not be cricket buffs as now-a-days having a match is something very common," Raja said.<br />Raja, who hails from Haryana and is currently based in Mumbai, had won Kerala state film award for the Best Art Director for 'Akale' in 2004.<br /><br />The movie, produced by Amit Garg and co-produced by Suresh K Menon, would be released on March 5. The cast includes Kanwaljit Singh, Neena Gupta, Kitu Gidvani, Milind Gunaji and Amit Behl.</p>