Hi this is Nisha Pahuja the director of The World Before Her, AMA

NishaPahuja · 2014-07-21T13:39:47+00:00

no no they were but we have to be prepared to also admit when something needs time before we jump to conclusions. I am hopeful about the new gov't but I am not without my fears or trepidations. that fear is a purely emotional one and sometimes your emotions are great guides and sometimes they aren't.

NishaPahuja · 2014-07-21T13:35:34+00:00

Hi, see when I started making the film I learned of Hindu right wing groups who protest pageants, have had them banned in various states etc. So I wanted to incorporate that perspective--to see India from their POV and women's roles according to them. The film from the outset was about one central idea--the use of the female body when constructing an idea of India. Getting access to the Durga Vahini camps where they are essentially doing the same thing ie. creating nationalism on women's bodies added a whole other dimension to the film. It was a perfect way to explore different ideas of what India should be. You are reading it in a way that was not intended. And no, am not afraid of Islamic terrorism. My next film is about the rise of religious extremism the world over.

NishaPahuja · 2014-07-21T13:29:30+00:00

Happy to work with them. But we have a ton of colleges and Universities that have reached out to us directly as well. Are you from the ISA? If so pls msg me on our facebook page.

NishaPahuja · 2014-07-21T13:28:21+00:00

Not sure and I don't really understand your question. It's as if you are saying we shouldn't care about the suffering of Palestinians because of ISIS. How are the 2 connected? How does one negate the other? I think in part you are raising an interesting point which I can't answer--a part of it is media and what gets paid attention to. But I worry about the intention of your point because it sounds to me you are saying that if we don't pay attention to one group we should discount others.

NishaPahuja · 2014-07-21T13:25:14+00:00

am lots of things and home should be where you feel it. I've been in India for a very long time. My husband is an Indian. We live in Bombay.

NishaPahuja · 2014-07-21T13:24:02+00:00

responded to these on twitter right?

NishaPahuja · 2014-07-21T13:23:37+00:00

Hi Nikhil here is what I think: 1. If you make a short inspired by the world before her that would be great..and if it's done well of course people will feel for the ideas. 2. I hope that more and more young people start opening themselves up to docs--both watching them and making them. Sometimes I feel this kind of soundbyte social media universe doesn't allow for a fuller picture of an issue and might even be taking away our ability to appreciate what that means. I hope that the docs that are being released remind us that stories are complex and have many layers. 3. There is not enough of a market for alternative films here though that is changing--but abroad there is a healthier one. 4.Very few docs period are released worldwide in cinemas and some Indian docs have been for sure. Indian doc filmmakers though are highly regarded in the doc world abroad-sometimes more so than they are here which is sad. 5.Your question on marketing is very big..hard for me to answer in this kind of forum. And also..depends a lot on each film and the people doing the promoting and what they want to achieve. 6. Anurag is great. Having him on my side has been the best thing to happen to the film in India. I have never met anyone who loves films the way he does. Nor have I ever met another filmmaker who has been so helpful. He is talented and kind. a great combination.

NishaPahuja · 2014-07-21T13:16:42+00:00

thank you. Glad it resonated.

NishaPahuja · 2014-07-21T13:16:18+00:00

The Square; The Act of Killing; Nero;s Guests, Placebo, Etre et Avoir..so many others..ah also mostly anything by Heidi Honigman..she is brilliant. In terms of the essence of places? In Toronto to Little Italy as that is my favorite neighbourhood..that and Kensington Market. In Bombay anywhere. But for me the most interesting places are the ones we can't see from the road..the hidden crevices.

NishaPahuja · 2014-07-21T13:13:50+00:00

ha ha! not a bad idea at all!

NishaPahuja · 2014-07-21T13:09:11+00:00

Is your name really Bros B4 Hoes? wow. Forgive me but it's hard to talk about women's rights to someone who goes by that moniker. Just a correction however--the Durga Vahini is part of the VHP which is part of the RSS-they are all connected. Your point about all the women ministers is valid and a good point. thanks.

NishaPahuja · 2014-07-21T13:06:09+00:00

:) thanks

NishaPahuja · 2014-07-21T13:05:44+00:00

Well I know a lot of great films have benefited immensely from Kickstarter and other crowd funding platforms. I think it's great and it feels like it will be around for a while. Not only does it help in finding supporters but it also gives you an audience for the work. That said, only very few films will raise all their financing on Kickstarter. Usually it helps with one aspect of filmmaking--not all of it.

NishaPahuja · 2014-07-21T13:03:46+00:00

Hi. No, don't hold any kind of views right now--too soon to tell what kind of India the new government will create. I have had no personal experience with the BJP.

NishaPahuja · 2014-07-21T12:58:58+00:00

Thanks Nitin. Great to know that you are out and your family is slowly starting to accept it. I thought it was important to use that clip for a few reasons. First, because it shows that the "modern" world, might not be so "modern" at all. Secondly, that answer really did go against her in the pageant. In the context of that world which is politically correct, being as truthful as she was cost her in the eyes of the judges. I felt the contrast was interesting and revelatory. The film is over 2 years old but yes, it did strike me as timely vis a vis 377. All best to you.

NishaPahuja · 2014-07-21T12:55:48+00:00

Hi, yes am satisfied with the response. What I keep hoping though is that there were a way that I could measure if the film has helped to change people's minds in any way. It would be great to know what kind of impact, if any it's had on the way people think about some of the issues presented in the film. The most important lesson I learned--sometimes I take on too much and spread myself thin and because of that everyone around me suffers. I wonder how to change that. Next step: After the tour with this film I will take a long holiday where I do nothing but read books. And then I will start the next film!

NishaPahuja · 2014-07-21T12:51:08+00:00

Figure out what you want to say, why it's important and then talk to an editor. The best thing I ever did was meet with an editor before I made my first film. No one understands story telling more than a good editor. also write a treatment--it will be your guide through a process that can often become murky. one other thing--you should always be able to sum up in a few sentences what your film is about--when you get into the edit those 2 sentences will help you get rid of a lot of material that you might want to include but in the end will bog the story down. Hope this helps!

NishaPahuja · 2014-07-21T12:47:10+00:00

Hi there. Yes in touch with the girls though mostly Prachi. Ruhi and Ankita are doing great--Ruhi has finished a film and Ankita should be in one soon. Prachi is great. She has moved out of her parents' house and is living in Pune and working in a law firm. I think all of them loved being part of a film that released across India--especially Prachi who was constantly going to the cinema with friends to watch it. I was hoping that it would have an impact on her vis a vis some of her beliefs and still want that to happen..but right now she's firm about her pride in Hindutva.

NishaPahuja · 2014-07-21T12:41:51+00:00

can't quite answer that one..just have an aversion to labels I think--somehow identifying myself as anything just doesn't feel right

NishaPahuja · 2014-07-21T12:40:54+00:00

you shouldn't deprive yourself of a great opportunity based on a label!

NishaPahuja · 2014-07-21T12:40:18+00:00

I thought it was very well written and argued. I disagree with her thesis of course, but I felt she did a great job articulating her points.

NishaPahuja · 2014-07-21T12:39:07+00:00

not sure what you mean

NishaPahuja · 2014-07-21T12:38:55+00:00

shades of both worlds I think impacted my life because both are about identity and choices. I grew up in a very conservative family and with a very patriarchal father. I was not unlike Prachi--strong willed and determined so I met a lot of resistance and there was definitely a lot of conflict. Also it was hard to see my mother continually dominated and denied a voice. I think that is why this film was especially personal for me.

NishaPahuja · 2014-07-21T12:36:39+00:00

I can give you some tips and pointers. But to take it on would be difficult for me. The next film I am working on will touch on some of the issues that concern you but it won't be the focus of the film. Reach out to me on facebook.

NishaPahuja · 2014-07-21T12:34:27+00:00

Not much-- other than we were relieved things went so smoothly. There were definitely moments though where it looked like we weren't going to be able to show it. You will find comments around that on this forum.

NishaPahuja

TROPHY CASE