New-age short film focuses on equality and acceptance

BENGALURU:Films have been notorious for creating stereotypes, the most popular being the disrespectful portrayal of the LGBTQIA + community. Often mocked at to evoke laughter from onlookers and viewers, a rare find is a film that portrays the struggles and stories of the communities. 

Which is where Melancholy, a short film sets itself apart for its sensible and sensitive portrayal of the issue.Starring Kannada actor, Hitha Chandrashekar, the film proves to be the need of the hour. The five-minute short film, which talks volumes about accepting people the way they are, has been garnering rave reviews from critics and audience alike. In the Pride Month, City Express gets chatting with director Arun Mandala and actor Hitha about the making of the new-age film.

Produced by decade-old production house Cinemage Studios, run by couple Keerthi Ananthraman and Arun Mandala, the film has was released last month. “I always wanted to do a film on the community- especially about the vulnerability the community is facing. The main issue with the community is acceptance- from society and mostly, by family members. Also, I was working on a script during Mother’s Day where I was writing about a daughter being reunited with her mom after years. So I blended it together. The protagonist is a lesbian and her mother has distanced herself from her. The daughter then chooses to tell her mother how they are alike finally the mother understands her daughter and accepts her as well as her girlfriend,”Arun, the director says.

Actor Hitha feels she is one of the few lucky actors to be part of such a film at this point in her career. “People still have problems accepting homosexuality. But it's slowly changing and the gap is
reducing. People are shredding the walls and are accepting the community members,” she says.

Hitha feels attempts like Melancholy are important to send a strong message to a larger audience.“Responses from the audience have been very positive. They have spoken highly about how the film is aesthetically appealing, about music and most importantly about bringing out the concept. But, there were also a few negative comments slamming homosexuals. But, we knew was anyway going to happen,” she signs off.