JOIN USFor a filmmaker who has more than two decades of experience in making fiction films and commercials for television and corporates, it was an exhilarating experience to witness Indian Army’s Paratrooper Special Forces Operatives at a close range.
Teaming up with his wife and director Manika Berry Asgaonkar, Prabhu Asgaonkar under his production house Sparklework Films, recently directed India’s Paratroopers: Earning The Badge, a film on the lives of the army’s Special Forces. The film reveals the intense training programmes that the soldiers undergo in unconventional warfare. In an email interaction with Metrolife, Prabhu talks about the film, his experiences while shooting and much more.
How did the idea of making a film on paratroopers come about?
India’s Paratrooper Special Forces are amongst the very best Para SF in the world. The idea was to give audiences a first-time glimpse into the lives of these truly extraordinary soldiers. When we discussed the concept of the documentary with Discovery Channel team, we felt that the time was right to talk about the real heroes of the country who come from small towns and villages across India.
So we approached the Indian Army and convinced them to give us first-time access to showcase the sheer ambition, dedication, commitment, patriotism and professionalism of the Indian soldiers.
What went into the research process?
Research was difficult, because most of what Para SF does is so secretive. We spent a lot of time with them, understanding their selection process and gruelling regimen to be able to do justice to one of the most difficult military selection processes in the world.
Tell us about the process of filming?
This was one of the most difficult films to shoot, because we did not know what to expect during the 90-day probation of Para SF. The production schedules were not fixed because we had to shoot the probationers according to their training modules. Once we started shooting, we needed to shoot every little moment of what we were permitted to shoot, even if it meant staying up for 36 hours with barely any food!
How big was the crew?
Our crew had only nine people. That means we all shouldered greater responsibilities, but it worked better for us! We wanted the film to look edgy, exciting and visually compelling and our incredibly talented directors of photography (Kumar
Subramaniyan and Nitin Pegu) have achieved that!
What about the forces impressed you?
There is truly no job a Maroon Beret cannot do and no challenge they will not accept. They are exceptional in everything they do and are inspirational individuals. Their capabilities and skills, coupled with their humility and restraint make them
a rare breed. It was an honour to shoot this film with them.
What did you learn from their training sessions?
We learnt a lot about dedication, commitment and patriotism which is being showcased by this film as well. These young volunteers showed that they are truly willing to go to any length to earn the Maroon Beret and Balidaan Badge.
What does your film aim to achieve?
We would like to finally bring our ultra-elite Para SF into India’s popular culture. We hope that Indians in every corner of the country will feel immense pride when they realise what these men are willing to go through to protect our country.
India’s Paratroopers: Earning The Badge will air on August 21 on Discovery Channel at 9 pm.