In search of truth

Seeking truth can lead one to difficult paths. In difficult political scenarios these paths can become more dangerous, yet some people have been shooting fearlessly, with an aim to bring out the truth.

“There is a fear to face some truth in the present society. There is anticipation of violence and people are scared of the government today. For example a liberal person who might support a film, cannot screen it for he fears losing his job, such is the situation,” says Mohan Kumawat from Anhad films, who has been making documentaries on various issues over the years.

“One has to find venues, even if small and put it on youtube. We resist through our films and these are different ways to fight censorship,” explains Sania Hashmi.

Hashmi and Kumawat formed Anhad films in 2008. “Back then documentary films were not watched much. But the audience is growing now,” shares Hashmi.

Finding an audience for the alternative media can get tough at times. “To show these films earlier, we used to go to villages and collaborate with NGOs. But with the increasing internet access, people are able to access these on their own. The ways to reach people have increased and that also leads to increase in audience.”

Recalling an incidence, she says, “We sent two of our documentary films to a film festival. One was on sexual harrasment and eve teasing named, Bol Ke Lab Aazad Hain Tere and the other one was on rape victims in muzzaffarnagar riots. While the screened the first film and we even got an award for that, the second film was not screened. They were scared that the situation might become violent. Similarly a college that wanted to screen this film changed it’s stance after two years.”

Kumawat adds, “Earlier you could show films on sensitive topics but now things are starting to get banned. Each step in making a documentary comes with a hurdle. First there are funding issues, then if you manage to make the film, you struggle to screen it. If you manage to screen it, you struggle to keep out of trouble. Freedom of expression is at stake in this process. It has just become a mere phrase without any meaning.”

Anhad films has been working on several issues and bringing forward unheard voices on several issues like women rights, and tribal rights. “I like to make films on the marginalised. People whose voices are not given preference often have important stories to tell,” Hashmi explains.

Talking about the financial aspects, Kumawat says, “This is a very weird field. In other jobs, if you work, your salary keeps increasing and finances begin to look stable. But in documentary film making nothing is fixed. Sometimes you might be making two films together and at other times you might be left with no work.”

Both Kumawat and Hashmi wanted to pursue journalism before venturing into documentrary filmmaking. “After studying journalism I wanted to pursue that and even did a project for a popular news channel in UP. There I found out that they create fake stories in-house. When I realised that this is the reality of TV news, I couldn’t continue doing it. I left it to pursue something more truthful – documentary film making.  I wanted to work on real issues,” he adds.

Agreeing with the reality of journalism, Hashmi says, “I was also keen on getting
into journalism but since  a lot of my friends were into film making, I liked doing the
research for the films and that is how I developed my interest in this field. Plus it
helps one check their privilege.”

Talking about future plans, Kumawat adds, “We have not worked with corporate houses because most of them have agendas that suppress the marginalised but who knows what might happen. For example few years ago it was easier to get a budget for such films, as many NGOs showed interest. But the funding of many NGOs has stopped now. The government funds for films these days are only available on themes that relate to the current government policies, like Swachch Bharat. That doesn't do justice to the truth.”