Grand Awakening

It's not often a person gets the opportunity to launch a new career at the ripe age of 63, but that's what Koshi Lalvani did when she produced her first feature film The Awakening. In the movie, which opened in UAE theatres this month, Lalvani pays tribute to her Sindhi heritage. It is the first international film entirely in the Singlish language (a mix of Sindhi dialect and English).

Dubai-based Lalvani is also a successful lyricist, music composer and singer, She has produced several Sindhi music albums and a collection of nursery rhymes titled Gulran Ja Geet.

Not one to rest on her laurels, Lalvani made a foray into theatre two years ago with a musical ballet, Jaag Sindhi Jaag, which was performed in Dubai, New Delhi and Mumbai. It was this experience that set the ball rolling for Lalvani's debut as a film producer.

How did you come up with concept of The Awakening?

I was about three years old when the partition of India and Pakistan took place, forcing Sindhis to scatter all across the world. Although they succeeded wherever they went, economic progress and globalisation made the Sindhis forget their culture and heritage. I reflected the need to give a wake-up call to Sindhis through my ballet Jaag Sindhi Jaag two years back and its success gave me the confidence to make a film to save the Sindhi heritage before it disintegrates.

I feel today the UAE is also going through a similar problem of protecting its heritage and so many people will identify with this film.

So how did you structure the storyline of the film to carry this message?

The film follows the story of Sindhu, a US based archeological student who visits India to do a thesis on the Indus Valley civilisation. Sindhu meets her grandmother, through whom she finds out about Sindhi culture and tradition, which dates back more than 7,000 years, and the trauma of partition. The story is sensitively handled with emotional moments conveying the film's message without being preachy.

How easy was it to start such a project and identify the right cast and crew?

Being a composer and lyricist, I initially created the music of the film and we weaved the script around it. I took on the entire burden of putting the project together and my husband stood by me. We financed the project entirely. It was tedious task choosing the cast and crew but eventually I believe we got the best team.

What about the choice of your lead couple, Smithaa Gondkar and Vishal?

I met Smithaa through an agency and after a number of auditions, I found her suitable for the role. I didn't want any established actress as I wanted a fresh face and Smithaa with her looks and acting skills fitted the bill. Moreover, she worked in the US and this made her identify with the character of Sindhu easily. Vishal has already acted in many films before and we knew that he could do justice to his role. Together Smithaa and Vishal made a very good onscreen couple.

Why did you choose to make the film in Singlish rather than sticking to Sindhi?

I wanted the film to connect with younger Sindhi generation who unfortunately do not know how to read and write Sindhi or speak Sindhi entirely. So I chose their language of Singlish where they mix Sindhi dialect with English. Moreover, by making this film in Singlish, I could cater to other audience with the English dialogue. I have also dubbed the film in Hindi besides sub-titling the film in Arabic so that people here could understand and identify with the film's message.

Finally do you think the film will make its mark, considering Bollywood rules the young Sindhi generation?

I truly agree with you that Bollywood poses a big challenge but somebody had to make a film of a different genre. I have incorporated music and dance in a story that is bound to connect with the younger audience. I am sure when they come to see the film; they will never forget this experience. I don't have a doubt that the film will be a trendsetter and successful in spreading the film's message.