Rohena Gera’s Sir has become quite a favourite in the festival circuit. Besides getting a theatrical release in more than 20 countries, the film has also been screened at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. It had a Gala premiere at Zurich Film Festival and was screened across the world including the Czech Republic, Melbourne, California, Israel, and other countries in Europe. It has also won audience awards at the Festival du Film de Cabourg (France) and Festival World Cinema Amsterdam (Netherlands).
Rohena is the first female filmmaker to have bagged the Gan Foundation Award at Cannes for the film. Sir, starring Tillotama Shome and Vivek Gomber, is a love story that focuses on the class divide in India.
Talking about the casting, Rohena says, “I wanted actors who would completely become these two characters. Vivek and Tillotama are both very hard working, sincere actors who put everything into bringing these characters to life with honesty.” Rohena is confident that the Indian audiences will love the film as well. “I believe that the Indian audiences are just as smart and sensitive as any other audiences. We need to bring the film to them in a way that allows conversation. Obviously, we can’t try to compete with the star power of the big films, but I think there is a place for us too!” she says. The filmmaker is not looking to spread a message, all she wants is for people to enjoy the film. “I think we have a long tradition of love stories. Above all the film is about emotions not issues. If people accept the film, it will be on an emotional level. And if they discuss it later that is great. But the important thing for me is that people go to the cinema and enjoy those 90 minutes,” she says.
