Laxmikant’s new Konkani film on anvil – ‘Bhavarth’ … faith during Conversions
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 14 October 2015 19:22 IST
Goa’s internationally acclaimed film maker Laxmikant Shetgaonkar is coming out with a new Konkani film, this time based on the religious faith, the issue that erupted during the most turbulent history of Goa – religious conversion in the 16th century.
‘Bhavarth… the faith’ is the name of the film, which itself highlights something beyond mere history of conversion but travels more deep into the religious faith of humankind.
“The religious conversion by the Portuguese in Goa triggered a new debate in the Indian society about faith in religion and confused the people about which is a better faith. I am dealing with this aspect in a positive manner and not conversion per se”, Shetgaonkar told goanews.com.
After conducting a thorough research on an altogether different chapter of Indian history of the 16th century, he is now ready with a screenplay.
In fact the winner of two international awards was camping in Panaji for the last six months, searching for authentic documents in the Central Library, Archives etc.
“People from both the sides suffered during this whole episode while it was a gameplay for only a handful of people. These aspects would be focussed more in my film rather than simply digging the plain history”, he said.
Providing a hint, he says the story moves around Father Victor, who comes from faraway Lisbon to propagate the gospel of God and Rawloo Pai, who has been the priest of the temple all his life. The villagers, on the other hand, are torn between their allegiance to their old Gods and conversion to the new ones.
SELLING IDEA AT IFFI BAZAAR
Shetgaonkar is thrilled that his screenplay is one of the 19 films selected for the five-day Film Bazaar at this year’s International Film Festival of India, beginning in Goa from 20 November at Goa Marriott.
“I am confident of generating the required funding for the periodic drama”, said Shetgaonkar.
He is planning to pitch his high-budget project, worth Rs three crore, to the curated audience of national and international producers, financers and sales agents.
While in search of a financer, Shetgaonkar is also planning to go for crowd funding, but as a last resort.
He is one among the acclaimed film directors like Prasanna Vithanage, Jahanu Barua, Nandita Das and Kanu Behl, who have been selected for the Film Bazaar.
BACKGROUND
Shetgaonkar has brought laurels to Goa by winning two international awards - FIPRESCI and grand jury award at IFFLA 2010, for his much acclaimed Konkani film Poltodcho Munis (A man beyond the bridge).
Similarly, he has won national film awards on three occasions – Eka Sagar Kinari (A seaside story), Poltodcho Munis and Baga Beach.
Shetgaonkar is considered one of the leading young film makers of India, who touches varied themes that affect human life and unfolds it in a most humanistic and subtle manner.
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