Young Turk Filmmaker Sammir I Patels Acclaimed Short Film 'Milenge Jannat Mein'

Q. Your film Milenge Jannat mein or Meet you in Heaven(the international name) has already had quite a few selections and wins at the International National film festivals, how do you feel about it?

A: It feels great that our hard work is getting recognition from all over the world. It has already been officially selected at 10 International Film Festivals and won 6 awards. Official selection and win as Best International short film at Indo - Singapore International Film festival ,Official selection and win as Best International short film at Seoul Art film festival, Korea, Official selection at Durban International Short film festival , South Africa as Best short film, Official Selection as Best Director at Durban international film festival, South Africa, Official selection as Best International short film at Lift - off Filmmakers session, Pinewood studios, United Kingdom.

These are just a few in the last one month and the Major festival like Mami, Sundance and Raindance are still in consideration.

Q. So when will your film going to be releasing on OTT?

A: It is going to take at least 6 to 8 months to complete all the major film festivals after which the film be available on a major OTT for the audience to watch.

Q : The subject of the film is very different, do you think it will create controversy?

A : Yes. It is a different and a thought provoking film , but not really controversial but again people can create controversy out of anything these days. The film is beautiful story of a girl who finds meaning in life and death.

Q : You as a filmmaker have dabbled in almost all mediums of film making , so which one did you enjoy the most and why?

A : Yes i have done theatre to begin with which is my base , then tv as a writer , documentary film which is mx player, web film; Yours truly Roohani on Apple tv, Short films ; Pfa love mom & dad now on Apple tv. Feature film Hotel Beautifool which released in Canada which was reviewed 3.5 on 5 star by Times.

The medium i enjoyed the most is theatre as an actor because that is an actors medium and Feature film as a filmmaker because that is a directors medium.

Q : You have done a lot of comedy genre as a writer and filmmaker in the past and lately you have been doing Emotional Drama films what has given you major recognition like Pfa Love mom and dad which won many awards? Is this a conscious effort on your part to change your Image?

A : I would like to believe that I am good with all the genres of filmmaking except horror. Its your state of mind and availability of funds that derives the genre of the film for an independent filmmaker. Before PFA : Love mom and Dad everybody believed that i am only good at comedy genre but PFA changed their perspective. Now I am waiting to do a slick comic thriller film soon to change peoples perspective again.

Q : Lastly as an independent filmmaker what are the challenges you face in mounting a film?

A: The real challenge is that no matter how brilliant your films your script is, our industry is star driven. But slowly it is changing and hopefully soon the film's content will be the hero and the audience will goto the theatres for that and not the stars.