A class apart

You could call it a case of Ripley's Believe It or Not. And if you thought that acting was an inborn talent and something which can't be learnt, maybe you would like to meet Rajnesh Domalpalli whose debut film, Vanaja, garnered a handful of awards.

What is interesting about the film is its cast drawn from the middle and lower classes of Indian society. And they had never faced a camera before.

Rajnesh Domalpalli working as a computer professional in California until some time ago, has turned filmmaker with his Telugu film, Vanaja.

The film is a narrative on the social structure in India and is set in the 1950-60s. It revolves around Vanaja, the 14-year-old daughter of a poor fisherman, who aspires to become a Kuchipudi dancer.

Rajnesh Domalpalli hails from Hyderabad, the capital of Andhra Pradesh in South India. After graduating from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai, in 1984 and earning an MS from the State University of New York, Stony Brook, in 1986 he worked in California's Silicon Valley.

"Vanaja presents the barriers that exist in our rural society even today. What are the things that can and cannot be transgressed and more importantly what happens — when it is violated," Rajnesh says about his maiden venture.

"During the shooting of a scene involving a temple, I had asked extras to sit on the steps, arranging them into groups so as to provide some background activity. To our surprise there was a violent reaction from bystanders because those whom I had asked to sit were from a lower class. Vanaja explores the chasm that divides classes as a young girl struggles to come of age."

Creative beginnings

Vanaja was written as a project by the 38-year-old director for his first semester at Columbia University in 2001.

"The film was originally inspired by a child's scream in the film, Sophie's Choice and was to be a tale about a mother-child separation but as it developed over the next three semesters, the idea gradually took on the elements of class distinction and conflict that exist in our society today," Rajnesh explains.

Writing stories is not new to Rajnesh. His creative side can be traced back to his IIT days when he wrote short stories. One of his stories, The Dowry, was broadcast by BBC World Service in September 1984.

Another story called Akka was a finalist in the BBC's International Short Story Competition 2001. "I enjoyed my work no doubt but it was only when I did a few courses in creative writing at a local community college in California, I realised that I had to make the switch," says Rajnesh.

"I had set my heart on Columbia University but with no background in films, I knew I was against heavy odds. So I did courses in acting, art history, voice control, elements of design, photography and writing before applying to Columbia University in 2001. I graduated with Vanaja in 2006."

Was it not difficult training a cast with no acting background?
"I love working with non-professionals because they are eager to learn. Also because of the life experiences they carry," Rajnesh says.

Mamatha Bhukhya, who played the main character in the film, was studying in class 8 in a Telugu medium school.

"When I met her, I found her hair too short and was not keen on selecting her," he recalls.

Srinivas Devarakonda, a well-known dance teacher and a disciple of Dr Vempatti Chinna Satyam, then started training Mamatha in March 2004. The shooting of the film commenced in January 2005 by which time Mamatha had graduated from the basics to what was choreographed for the film.

Another member who had never faced the camera until Vanaja is Urmila Dammannagari. Married at the age of 9, Urmila is a mother of four children and was working in a mineral water company as a bottle sealer. She had to give up her job though due to health problems.

While looking for another job, she came across an advertisement for "household help". Little did she know what was in store for her. "Urmila as Rama Devi, the landlady has given a spectacular performance in the film," Rajnesh says.

It is a similar story with Krishnamma Gundimalla. Prior to the film she was working as a labourer carrying baskets.

Then there is Marikanti who plays the role of Somayya, Vanaja's father. Uneducated Marikanti worked as a municipal sweeper and later as a security guard before joining Vanaja. Most members of the cast hail from similar backgrounds and Rajnesh has been successful in bringing their inherent potential to the fore.

"They came to the film seeking better revenue but as they grappled with the intricacies of acting, they realised that self-expression was a significant opportunity too," Rajnesh says.

Now that the film is ready, they are back to where they belonged. "Perhaps some day alternative films will have a market and filmmakers will feel comfortable to take in non-professionals.

Then those who have worked in Vanaja will find a role," he says wistfully. Looking back to the years when he decided to quit his cushy job and pursue his heart's calling, Rajnesh says: "Both my parents are supportive although my father was concerned in the beginning when I was switching careers. My mother is the pillar I lean on."

Awards

The first major award Vanaja won was the 'Best Debut Feature' at the 2007 Berlin International Film Festival.

Other awards include ‘Best Narrative Feature' at the 2006 IAAC [Indo-American Arts Council] film fest in New York and the ‘Special International Jury Prize' at the 2007 Cairo Children's Film Festival. He also won the Gollapudi Srinivas Memorial Award 2007 in India.

The release of the film in India is being delayed for want of sponsors. "Distributors are wary of a film that lacks glamour with no star faces to boast of," Rajnesh says .