Living the dream

Writer-director Shankar Srikumar is basking in the success of his debut film Alpha Beta Gamma', which was recently screened at the 75th edition of prestigious Cannes International Film Festival

- SYEDA EBA

Can there be a greater joy for a debutant director than his film getting screened at the international Festival de Cannes, world's most publicized event and the biggest film festival in terms of the worldwide impact? Certainly not!

Independent filmmaker and Shankar writer Srikumar is relishing that joy at the moment. His directorial Alpha Beta Gamma' not only made it to the prestigious event but also won applause from the best in the business, thereby giving his passion a boost.

'Shankar calls it a dream come true.

"It was a huge thing for me. As an independent filmmaker, you put your heart and soul into a film. But when you get this kind of exposure and your film goes to the biggest film market, it's a big deal. It's nothing less than a dream coming true. If you ask me, there is no bigger gratification for any filmmaker - big or small - than being invited to Cannes to showcase his work to the best actors, directors, and producers from more than 130 countries. And I am glad to share that our film received a fabulous response. Now I have high hopes of getting a platform for its official release."

Shankar's full-length feature film was one of the five projects that were selected for this honour. The director further says, Cannes boosted his confidence as a filmmaker and made him strive to work harder. "I want to thank my team, Cannes and of course, I&B ministry for what they did for us," added the debutant who attended the festival along with his team in the picturesque coastal town of southern France.

A passion project

While taking a walk down the memory lane, Shankar recalls, "I wrote the script in May 2020 but lockdown happened and all our plans were shattered. It was very difficult to make the film during the pandemic, let alone release it."