The 1960s saw the cotton mills industry thriving in Mumbai, the ‘city of dreams’ where hundreds of families from erstwhile AP had migrated to in search of employment. They did find work, but the rosy days didn’t last long. When the industry hit a slump workers had to find alternate avenues for employment. Eventually, they made Mumbai their home (away from home), with the identity as a Telugu Mumbaikar. Navin Yeligeti, the story writer of the docu-feature Devgiri Xpress, who had witnessed this story unfolding wanted the unique lifestyle of Telugu Mumbaikars to reach out to a larger audience.
“We wanted to make something realistic and yet tell a story. The middle-road format of a docu-feature helped us personalise the story,” says Navin, also a budding photographer who works for a multiplex chain. “We celebrate Dasara, Bonalu and all other major festivals staying true to the Telangana rituals, you wouldn’t believe this would have a Mumbai backdrop at all. Telugu people here have made a mark in all professions and we come together during festivals,” he shares. The film that was ideated two years ago, mirrors a unique slang of Telugu that these Mumbaikars speak.
Nithin Kumar Giri, the director of the docu-feature was brought on-board for his past work in the film industry (his directorial Zindagi Mumbai will release later this year) and his Adilabad roots (though he identifies himself more as a Nagpur resident). “I was amazed by the detailing that Navin brought into the story. With his deep understanding of the Telangana culture, he brought the festive atmosphere in Mumbai to life,” says the filmmaker. The film is told through the eyes of a union leader who stands up for his community in the time of need. Navin and Nithin didn’t want professional actors for the project, what they desired to capture was the life of an average Mumbaikar without sugarcoating reality. “We organised workshops and asked them to be whatever they are and not act,” Nithin states.
Since the cast and crew weren’t professional filmmakers, working around tight budgets and permissions in and around Mumbai posed a challenge. Navin used the weekends to work on the project, while his wife Deepika Yeligeti, the producer, did the groundwork for the rest of the week. Shot over eight months, the film was a fulfilling experience for the team, for the attempt was a first of its kind. Devgiri Xpress bears a commercial flavour too, with two songs in the 65-minute narrative. “We are still discussing about the right avenue to release the film. Television and Youtube are options we’re considering, ultimately you’d want it to reach out to all spectra of viewers,” Navin adds. Nithin is ready to turn the film into a higher-scale feature too, provided he finds a producer.