SHILLONG: National Award-winning filmmaker Rajesh Mapuskar, who made the Marathi film Ventilator, is keen to direct a movie based on the journey of the Shillong Chamber Choir.
The film will be produced by Ashutosh Gowariker, who played the protagonist in the Marathi comedy-drama Ventilator.
Speaking to this correspondent, Mapuskar, who had come to Shillong in 2013 to spend time understanding the daily routine of the Shillong Chamber Choir members and also the life and culture of the Khasi people, said, “I first heard the Shillong Chamber Choir singing at a function for underprivileged children at Matunga Mumbai. I was supposed to walk the ramp with the children and was still backstage when I heard this divine music and was completely mesmerised. What touched me was also that they sang in Hindi. I thought it was marvellous that a group from the North East, a lesser known region, should learn Hindi and sing in it.”
Mapuskar said he ran into one of the Choir members later in that function and wanted to talk to them but they were a bit hesitant since they did not know about him.
Six months later, he again ran into them at the coffee shop of JW Marriot, Mumbai, where they were performing and that was when he talked to Damon Lyndem, the Choir manager.
Mapuskar then approached Neil Nongkynrih, the director of the Shillong Chamber Choir, for making a film on them. Neil who did not know of the director or his film Ferrari Ke Sawari, rejected the idea saying, “We don’t know the world of films so please don’t take it amiss if we reject your proposal.”
But Mapuskar never gave up. He kept calling and kept in touch with the Choir members. In 2013, the Choir invited him for Neil Nongkynrih’s birthday. It was then that he came to Shillong and spent almost a week.
Initially, Mapuskar wanted to base his story on the discrimination faced by people of the North East in other parts of India but later scrapped it completely. Now the storyline is all about the life and struggles of the Shillong Chamber Choir although he says he will fictionalise it. If all goes well, then the shooting will begin next year.
Nongkynrih, meanwhile, said while members of the Choir will be playing their own roles he himself will not be acting so the producer and director will have to find a character that fits his role.
Asked if he was happy that the story of the Shillong Chamber Choir will now be made into a film, Nongkynrih said he is happy that someone will be telling the story of their journey which has been one of great trials and moments of great success too.
Founded in 2001 by Nongkynrih, the Shillong Chamber Choir is a multi-genre choir that has performed throughout the world. The Choir travels extensively and performs at important functions in different parts of the country as well.
In 2010, the Choir won India’s Got Talent. Since then they have never looked back.
Mapuskar says the film will be shot in Shillong and across India once he completes the script.
