JOIN USDo you know there are about three million people world over who do not know that they are carrying HIV virus diseases? Do you know that HIV is like any other chronic condition like blood sugar or blood pressure if right medicines are taken? Lastly, do you know that HIV patients can also conceive a baby in a regular way under medical guidance?” questions Bhushan Gaur before he begins talking about his film, There will be Tomorrow.
“These questions will find voice in the movie. It further speaks about the importance of sharing problems with your near and dear ones,” he says.
The film, which casts model Sahil Salathia and Nimisha Mehta, Miss India UK London 2013, highlights the hopes and failures of couples affected by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), while also giving out a message that the problems which come along can be handled with courage and support from loved ones.
“I was extremely moved by a news story about an HIV victim who was blessed with a baby. My research on the subject and meetings with patients led me to very painful and interesting findings, and I realised that there was no movie on this particular subject. While there are movies on HIV, they are all about treating the patients as equals; none highlights the possibility of them having their own baby,” Gaur tells Metrolife.
Which is why, the filmmaker decided to make a movie on the subject and started meeting doctors and researchers. “The story, which is based on statistics regarding the condition, took long to design. Several experts were consulted before writing the screenplay, and the story underwent numerous revisions. The content needed to be just right,” Gaur says, adding that the final film is “entertaining, informative and experimental”.
Shot at multiple locations across Mumbai, the film has been screened at the HIV Congress 2016 in Goa, where it also won an award for outstanding contribution to society. The 30-minute long film also stars Shishir Sharma, Mangal Kenkre and Priti Mamgain.
“The shooting got over in August 2015 but its post-production continued till March 2016. The information had to be just right. Since it’s illegal to disclose information about HIV patients, the doctors and patients were willing to share information only in certain ways. There were many untold stories in that space,” he says. Gaur adds that while filming he came across many “multidimensional” challenges.
Elaborating, the filmmaker says that since the movie is factual, they required many authentications, and also had to ensure that it does not end up becoming just a statement of facts.
“Then, since the style of narration is innovative, the director of photography and the actors had to undergo numerous rehearsals. And since the team had inhibitions, they had to be taught about the cause before they could impart information further... From editing to music to release, everything needed to be meticulous.” he says.