I want to make films that promote new talent: Sanjotha Prashanth

First-time producer and director Sanjotha Prashanth is not the typical filmi sort. She gave up a plum position in an MNC to pursue her love for filmmaking. The trigger she admits was a janitor working in her MNC office. When the lady told Sanjotha, "My aim is to do a job that satisfies not just other people but me, where I know I have done the best that I can and I am satisfied." While Sanjotha had already begun making a few corporate films then during her spare time, these words from the janitor made her give up her job to pursue what really makes her happy.Today, she's ready with Mirchi Mandakki Kadak Chai, her first home production, where she has given an opportunity to new talent, both actors and technicians.
"I chose to call my film Mirchi Mandakki Kadak Chai because that is what completes a snack in North Karnataka. These are the different flavours that are not complete by themselves. My film, too, deals with three characters, who represent these three elements, mirchi, mandakki and kadak chai. Together, they share a strong friendship. The film deals with their trials and tribulations," says Sanjotha.
The film has led her to cast three newcomers in these roles, while she has many new faces cast alongside them in the supporting roles. Sanjotha has also consciously got fresh talent whereever she could in her team of technicians too. "Since I am producing the films that I direct, I wanted to ensure that I give a platform to many youngsters to showcase their talent and enter the film industry through my productions," says she.
The director says that she did, though, assist filmmakers before she took the plunge to direct her first film. "I pursued my course in filmmaking while I was working at the MNC, by taking a break and heading to Mumbai.
Subesequently, when I got back, I used to work in my spare time and over the weekends to make corporate films. But, when I decided to take a plunge into films, I decided to assist a few filmmakers. I worked on films like Jarasandha and Aakramana, among others, before I got the confidence that I could make a film on my own," says Sanjotha. She even adds that she had a three-month-old baby when she was on the set of Aakramana, who she multi-tasked with. With her baby still small, she says that it was her confidence and determination that led her to make a film, while still performing mommy duties at home. "I've got to thank my husband Prashanth for this. He's been a great pillar of strength. I think the adage, behind every successful man lies a woman can be reversed for me," she says.
Sanjotha believes that her corporate background ensures her to think differently in the film industry. "I've realized that marketing is a big tool for filmmakers today to reach their audience, unlike how it used to be earlier, with just a few press conferences. Considering my film deals with a young subject, with a fresh cast, I knew the onus on me was twice as much to ensure it reached to the people. If you take a look at films across different industries, it is because the filmmakers place that extra importance on marketing that smaller budget films without stars are also doing well there. This is the future of the industry over here too," she adds.
Sanjotha, who thinks it is tougher for a woman to be taken as seriously on the set, says that she had to unlearn a lot of things from her corporate stint too. "I worked in such a setup where I had to book a meeting or a phone call to even interact with the person sitting next to me. Suddenly being at the helm of things and having to yell at people to get things was quite a task. But, I think I have managed it successfully, now that my film is complete," she laughs.
The first-time filmmaker says that there are many filmmakers who she looks up to. "I've grown up watching many films, both international and Indian. I've liked many filmmakers. But if I have to mention certain filmmakers whose path I'd like to toe, one would be TS Nagabharana. He knows how to make a film with a great storyline, which is both artistic and can appeal to the commercial audience. His films like Kallarali Hoovagi and Junumada Jodi are examples of this," signs off Sanjotha.