Children give a whole new perspective: Samit Kakkad

When director Samit Kakkad made Half Ticket (2016), he not only wanted to entertain audiences but also send across a message of love, peace and equality. The film went on to receive a lot of love upon its release and continues to do so even two years later. The latest achievement for the film has been receiving the Teen Screen Competition Jury prize at the 47th Molodist Kyiv International Film Festival 2018.

Samit says, “I knew we were making a film with an extremely strong storyline. The response from the audience, too, was great. However, the love we have received from film festivals across the globe is fantastic. The film has been screened at 23 film festivals and we have won awards at most of them.”

Director Samit Kakkad during the shoot of Half Ticket (HTPHOTO)

On his experience at the 47th Molodist Kyiv International Film Festival 2018, Samit shares, “The festival has been going on for 47 years. We had so many kids watch the film. The best part about this experience is being able to directly interact with teens and children. They open a lot of new perspectives to subjects.” He adds that he is glad to be able to reach out to the next generation who will be responsible for the future. “It feels nice to see how eager and enthusiastic these young minds are,” he says.

This year, Half Ticket was the only Indian film at the festival among 190 films from 53 countries. Samit adds, “Indian film-makers such as Mira Nair (1988), Awtar Kaul (1974) and Rabindra Dharmaraj (1981) were among the only others to have won this award in the past.”

The director is now ready with his Hindi directorial debut Ascharya F**k It inspired by Saadat Hasan Manto. “There is a lot coming up this year for me as a director, a new Marathi film, a web series and another Hindi film,” he says.