FIRST INDIAN DIRECTOR TO MAKE A DUTCH FILM: ARVIND IYER

Global, yes you are right! Because unlike other Indian filmmakers, Arvind Iyer has completed his first ever Dutch (he is making his debut as the director) film titled Karma. Incidentally, he happens to be the first ever-Indian filmmaker to make it in Dutch language. What is interesting to note is there is only one character in the film and the lady who plays the lead role is well-known Tibetan opera singer Namgyal Lhamo.

One must be wondering as to who Arvind Iyer is? As any one of the following creative people of Bollywood and they will immediately speak high about this talented young man. Santosh Sivan, Manoj Bajpai, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Raghuvir Yadav, Kay Kay Menon and Jimmy Sheirgill – the ensemble of creative people have one factor common to them  because Arvind Iyer is the man, who is responsible for designing their respective websites. This talented man is all set to make his debut as a global filmmaker and will be taking KARMA to various film festivals.

Arvind discloses, "It was karma (destiny) that made me travel all the way to Holland and meet Namgyal Lhama in her restaurant “De Werfkring”, a chic place where lots of celebrities from all across the world dine. I am indeed lucky because I got a living person, who happens to be my character of the film. I couldn’t believe my luck because in a mere fraction of second she said yes, when I told her about the film. I had never dreamt that finding a living character would be ever possible for me but destiny struck at the right time!”

"Karma is a film about a woman in her fifties, who is in love. It is a mature romance that I am talking about. The film is about the higher level of romance with spiritual aspect attached to it. It will be a black & white film because the beauty of a real life character can be described and captured well only in this medium. Namgyal Lhama is settled in Holland and runs her restaurant by the canal side, which have earthy cuisine as her specialty. Since she talks Dutch, the film had to be made in the language to reflect the reality aspect. She is a great name in Tibetan opera just like Bjork and Eminem are considered in their countries,” discloses the filmmaker.

Arvind has just returned from Holland after finishing the shoot of his film in mere four days “because it is the story of just one night and Namgyal is such a natural. The film will be released globally and will be showcased in various festivals. I am really kicked about the project because it is going to be a new meaning of love and very straight with pure Asian spirit.” Surprisingly, Arvind Iyer has acted in Santosh Sivan’s Asoka with Shah Rukh Khan and has been instrumental in designing websites for various people. When we ask as to how the passion to become a filmmaker got developed in him, he enthuses, “I design websites so I can support myself financially. I am a passionate man and was associated with the research and marketing of Santosh Sivan’s The Terrorist. I was so inspired by the film that Karma was born. I must confess it is destiny that has made me write the film.”

Johnny D