EXCLUSIVE | Producer Sandesh Sharda on Netflix's 'Heeramandi' fame Taha Shah's new film 'Paro': 'We made history at Cannes this year but nobody was ready to fund this film because…'

“Paro” addresses the grim reality of bride slavery, an urgent social issue that demands global attention. The film’s compelling storyline and evocative portrayal aim to stir public consciousness and inspire change.

This film is a powerful narrative aimed at shedding light on the critical issue of bride slavery in regions such as Rajasthan and Haryana, seeking to raise awareness and prompt meaningful action against this inhumane practice.

In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, Trupti Bhoir, the Lead Actress, Gajendra Ahire the Director, Sandesh Sharda the Producer, Priya Samant the Executive Producer and Impact Advisor spoke about the idea of the film and the challenges they faced.

Edited excerpts from the interview

Gajendra, where did the idea of this story come from because bride slavery is something that has not been shown in Indian cinema too often?

This wasn’t my idea but Trupti’s idea. As she always does, she came to me and narrated this fantastic idea. We shortlisted this idea and then she began working on it elaborating on it. I made an entire story on the material that she gave to me. The credit for the story goes entirely to her.

Trupti, how did you think of this ingenious idea?

I always do my research as far as women oriented subjects concerned. During my research, I saw a documentary by BBC and Al Jazeera news channel. It was about the selling of brides in India. It was shocking to see that as a woman, and I felt the need to talk loudly about this and also as a filmmaker as films leave an impact on the society. India is still not as educated and films are according to me a powerful medium by which I can educate the nation. My dear friend Gajendra helmed me in this process.

Priya, what are the responsibilities of an executive producer on project?

My contribution to this film has been rather unique. When Trupti was trying to raise funds for this film; I have done six films as an impact producer and that’s when I came in for this project as well. It was my responsibility to bring the right strategic advisors and producers on the table which would help them execute the film in the manner in which they want. And I can’t thank these stars and my stars enough as the other ones that have taken the vision forward. We got Sandesh on board. There were other two people that were on board, but my main part was to bring the main producer.

Sandesh, this is not an easy film to make, how was your prep like?

When Trupti and Priya spoke to me about this subject, what was sad was that we had been trying to raise funds for this movie and because of the subject and the commercial viability, they were unable to raise funds. And that is a sorry fact, everything has become so commercialized that nobody wants to fund a project like this which is a shame on our society. I am not from the Marathi industry, but when I googled about these people, I found them to be really credible. People abroad have the guts to take a subject like this forward. This is my small contribution towards the film. This is very prominent in countries like Africa or World War countries where human trafficking and abuse of women as sex objects are rampant. Gajendra Ji was very, very professional in his approach and I cannot think of any other person who could have done a better job than him for this film.

Gajendra, the audiences over the past few years have accepted all kinds of content, so do you have a feeling that your film is also likely to be accepted because it is a different film and it deals with an important subject?

Trupti and I agree that we have never made a film, thinking if the audiences are going to like it or not. If it touches your heart, we go ahead and make it. You should be able to make your film on any subject in such a way that the audiences are curious to watch it. We have never compromised on the script. It’s now on the audiences how to support it or even not. A good film always reaches the right people, that’s what I feel.

Priya and Sandesh, has anything about the way films are financed changed post the pandemic since we have started from scratch?

Sandesh: This is actually my first film as a producer so I have absolutely no idea what happened before the pandemic or during the pandemic. I have come here with an absolutely clean slate. We showed the trailer at the Cannes Film Festival and response was overwhelmingly positive. I showed the trailer to at least 250 people in the US recently at my home. Ever since then, I have been approached by at least 30 people to collaborate with them on any subject that deals with social impact. Representing the NRI community of the U.S., I would like to say that we may have left india but India has not left us.

Priya: This is my first film as an executive producer but I have done six films before as an impact advisor. This is a concept I launched in Indian cinema in 2019. Understanding the commercial viability of films that deal with social subjects always takes time. Having said that, audiences globally have become really intelligent. Ours was the first film to have a poster launch and trailer preview at the Cannes Film Festival. We made history. Pre-pandemic post pandemic doesn’t really matter when your content is good. In terms of funding, people have become a lot more intelligent, and are ready to invest in such kinds of subject.

Gajendra, what were the challenges and experience for you shooting this film?

The biggest challenge for us was to find authentic locations. We shot at a village near lucknow at zero degree temperature. We then went to the ravines of Chambal and then the dessert of Rajasthan. And when we have a producer like Trupti who goes out of her way, you don’t have to worry about anything. I have not seen too many producers like her who give their blood and sweat. Sandesh also stood by us a producer. She asked me to shoot exactly how we wrote it on paper even if it came at the cost of taking a loan. This was truly inspiring for me as a director.

Trupti, you have acted in the film too. How was your prep like?

I didn’t get any time to prep nor did I think about it. I spoke to a lot of brides who have been through slavery. I studied their body language, they were scared and scarred. Their eyes are numb and so are the tongues. They need help and suffer from helplessness. Gajendra Ji asked me at times to tone the performance down. Acting wasn’t as difficult as dealing with the weather and contrasting temperatures. I had to shoot despite down with high fever. I feel I was blessed with some great co-actors.