Bhram – An Illusion (3)
Its always a numb feeling when one finishes a film. Although it is supposed to be my work, my profession, the last day of shoot is akin to the thrill of a ‘walk on the razors edge’ having come to an end.
It is like Robert Duvalls character in “Apocalypse Now” where he makes his way to bomb the battlefields of Vietnam to the accompaniment of Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries not knowing whether he will come out of it alive , he walks on the battle scarred land, looks around him and comments “ I like the smell of ‘Napalm’…it smells of victory”.
One goes through gruelling schedules, days and nights of pushing oneself beyond all limits, setting up daunting goals, fighting against time all the time . But like a soldier who is truly breathing only when the smell of ‘ Napalm’ is around him, for a film maker such traumas only mean ‘living’!
Post production is not without its own excitement and creative stimulation and often starts me off on a new perspective to the work I have just finished. Or does it ever finish…?
I think a film keeps evolving forever. When one sees it after a gap it often has something more to offer. I work largely by instinct . The script becomes a broad guideline and I rarely ever hold it in my hand while I am shooting. I let my sub conscious take over and shoot the scene and the film as if I am travelling down a new path discovering its wonders as I travel along.
I dislike describing my film when asked by the press etc. as I feel that one restricts the meaning of ones work by defining it with his own limited and subjective understanding of it. A film as all other works of Art means different things to different people. Often a comment made by someone else has thrown light on an aspect I never thought my film contained.
Budgets are a stumbling block for most makers. The legendary John Ford once growled at a producer saying ‘ I am shooting a film not a goddamn budget”. And then there was John Houston who reacted even more uniquely. When a studio executive peered over his shoulder and remarked ‘ Sir, we are three days behind schedule”..John instantly tore off nine pages from the script and retorted’ Now we are three days ahead’… he never shot those nine pages and still went on to make a great film.
As I am no John Houston I cannot find solutions as easily as he did.
But having said that, keeping within a budget is a necessity . Every film that becomes a hit and makes money impacts all of us positively as it opens up opportunities for us and vice versa.
Making ‘Bhram’ required a great deal of creative production design. We managed to complete the film in 50 days in Mumbai and Manali, with songs picturised, within budget, although truly speaking, the demands of the script were simply far too ambitious for the allocated sum. Here is when my production experience of the past came to my rescue.
The film unfolds along three different time lines and therefore three distinctly different color tones were decided upon to define each of the time zones.
At first we toyed with the idea of using filters and a bleach by pass process to achieve these. But later decided to use D I as that would give us greater control over the end result. This seemed to have been not without its ‘side effects’. Our post production facilities are still not used to such demands being placed upon them and hence considerable time went into the DI.But.. Alls well that ends well.
Bhram has turned out to be ‘distinct’ in its look. It is not a glossy ‘picture post card’ of a film. Amidst fun, youthful banter, an exchange of love and emotions, the ‘frames’ film life sometimes using harsh light,. During the dialogue stage we put in all efforts to keep the language as contemporary and modern as the time the film is set in. After all our films must depict our times correctly…language and all.
I must add here that I had a terrific crew and cast and I would like to put in a special thanks to first of all my producer Nari Hira for giving me the opportunity, my DOP Hiroo Keswani for giving his best even in the most difficult times, Vivek Philip for providing a background score that represents the soul of Bhram, music directors, Pritam/ Siddhartha Suhas for their chart busting music, Arun Nambiar for a wonderful sound design, Navneet Sevlani my Line Producer who never drew a line when it came to delivering, Rajgopal who did a fine job of cutting the film together, Bhavani for a great screenplay, Radhika for dialogues that sound like they were not written, Dino, Milind, Simone, Chetan for absolutely wonderful performances and great support personally and professionally, Sheetal Menon for a debut performance that is simply beyond expectations and for which I shall certainly take all the credit 
Sonu Niigam for always being there for me and giving me my best song each time. And finally a sincere thanks to all my assistants and unit members who made the making so memorable.
The hard work, sincerity and dedication they have put in is something I will always remember. Adversities faced by us only helped bond us better. Even those who may have come into the unit casually at first , soon got enveloped with the contagious zeal of all concerned and involved themselves wholly. Its like a mother who has had an unplanned child but once the baby is born, it grows to be the center of her existence and she passionately gives it her all.
A question that has dogged me ever since my first film ..” Why do you take so long between films?” Invariably this is posed by every journalist . Some are those who I know admire my work but more than their appreciation it is the cruelty of this question that I carry with me. I would like to tell them that ‘can anybody choose to not do what he loves most?’ The fact of the matter is that one cannot accept every film that comes ones way. Some are just ‘proposals’ or from producers who I know are not making films for the right reasons. I am not ‘choosy’ in that sense but ‘discerning’..yes.
To expect a deluge of work, either one has to have a great hit in the past, deserved or not, or have a saleable star in ones pocket, by hook or by crook, who will back even a ridiculous script or maker in ‘dosti yaari’ or cultivate ‘camps’ in parties…which I do not attend, or then make endless rounds of Producers offices. I don’t do any of these not because I don’t want to but because I cannot get myself to. Somehow for me dignity and film making are inseparable.
I guess someday makers will be taken on for their professionalism and knowledge of their craft,when it will not be about hits and misses but about good films and bad films and only about talent and passion. Times are changing fast…things are looking up. ‘Men’ from the ‘boys’ are being sifted out with corporates coming in.. so there will be less ‘proposal makers’ and more ‘film makers’ in the fray.
Besides the cast, not many have seen ‘Bhram’. After the preview I accepted their praise with a pinch of salt, considering they may have been looking at it with a sense of pride. But what brought a genuine smile to my face was when members of the censor committee, after viewing the film walked up to me and said ‘ Sir, you have made a good film’.
On the eve of the release of ‘Bhram’ I wish the best for all concerned, as no one ever makes a film with any other but the best of intentions. However as a film maker my foremost thought is that I am glad I made “Bhram”, which now belongs to my memories and to the audiences …
For me finally its only about making films…. before, after, ceases to matter..
‘Film’ is an optical illusion..’Life’ an illusion as well.. Maya. I like illusions…They help me survive.
I like ‘films’ more than I like ‘life’…so I continue on my journey with my life,my illusions, my films.
( The One minute trailer can be viewed here..Perhaps Oz will post it on this blog too..I couldnt)
Tags: Blogging Bhram
Anurag Kashyap
Abhay Deol
Dibakar Banerjee
Hansal Mehta
Khalid Mohamed
Kundan Shah
Anish Kuruvilla
Jaideep Verma
Manish Gupta
Navdeep Singh
Bhavani Iyer
D. Santosh
Onir
Ashvin Kumar
Ramu Ramanathan
Sudhir Mishra
Pankaj Advani
Revathy
Saurabh Shukla
Shilpa Shukla
Sujoy Ghosh
Suparn Verma
Santosh Sivan
Shashank Ghosh
Shivajee
Pavan Kaul
Partho Sen-Gupta
Prroshant Naryannan
Sam Langoria
Satish Kasetty
Sir first day last show its confirm due to some professional reason(job)… best of luck ^:)^^:)^^:)^
mujhe first first day first show dekhna tha … but i can’t because professional reason(job).
Hi Pavan,
good to read this! But I wonder nowadays how film-makers expect to have a good opening without somebody like Aamir or SRK in it. It might look like a blunt statement, but a good film doesnt necessarily fetch a good opening, unfortunately(: I’d appreciate your thoughts on this aspect of film-making.
Regards
Sanjit
Fantastic Sir!! I enjoyed reading this post as much as the earlier in this series if not more.When veterans like you write, the truth comes out crystal clear. What also comes out is your complete love for film making. I am only a connoisseur, not a maker.
For me its first day first show of Bhram..
Sincerely wish you all the best
Simply loved the trailer Pavan
^:)^^:)^^:)^^:)^^:)^
When is the release?
Simply loved the trailer Pavan.
Your writing is really winning over.
When is the release?
Simply mindblowing trailer.When is the release?
Impressive!! Liked the tralier very much too
PK..all the very best to you!!
Each movie finds its own space..if it is good..hoping yours does too!
“I think a film keeps evolving forever. When one sees it after a gap it often has something more to offer”
“I dislike describing my film ….. Often a comment made by someone else has thrown light on an aspect I never thought my film contained.”
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Thats very remarkable take and hope many filmmakers cherish such wise understanding.
Audience see films with different perspective and so many times audience may find something which either they are feeling, thinking,observing, living in real life and its possible that director did not put knowingly stress on that point but it touched a chord with audience. Thats a connection of a creation with audience and its a must element. Something should be there in any film where audience may feel associated with the product. Even if its related with imagination of audience. If not real life than film should be able to carry audience on a virtual tour.
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Enjoyed the post. All the best for the success of Bhram. When a Director is technically very sound and he has vision also and he has developed a philosophical relation with life and producers dont see it then its their loss and they keep audience away from many good films which could have been made if they were able to identify real talent of a director at right time.
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Bhram will get destined response but your journey has to go on and on. Many good films have to come from your basket.
We are always there to watch you walking on that creative path.
Best wishes again for Bhram.:)
Best of luck for Bhram ……
“I guess someday makers will be taken on for their professionalism and knowledge of their craft,when it will not be about hits and misses but about good films and bad films and only about talent and passion. Times are changing fast
Since when do PFC authors get to delete comments, especially those that point out issues in the authors posts? That’s a nice way of appreciating readers. You deleted not one but two of comments, Mr. Kaul. If that’s the way you treat your readers here, I don’t know how you’ll treat your viewers. I don’t want to be personal, but you have really pissed me off.
easy marlon.. PFC authors cannot delete comments, only editors can, and they would’ve only done so if your comments had violated PFC’s guidelines. otherwise it’s quite possible they got stuck in the spam filter and never made it through. take a chill pill and tell us what your comments were about.. maybe we can find them in the spam filter.
Thanks striker. Appreciate your reply and the fact that my last comment made it on the post.
My first comment pointed out to the author that what he’d earlier referred to “a symphony” was in fact Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries”. Strangely enough, the author’s text changed correcting his text, but my comment was deleted (That’s proof that the comment did indeed make it past your filter, or was at least read and then deleted. Unless you’re telling me that him changing the text around the time that I posted my comment was a coincidence..man, that would surely be totally filmy!!!! make Manmohan Desai proud!!!!!)
My second comment just asked for justice – as Rakhi said in Ram Lakhan – nyaay!! – saying stuff like “oye hello, didn’t my comment just appear here?”
I’ve taken my chill pill and would appreciate that you retrieve my comments and put them back. They will appear in cached copies anyways. Dhanyavaad, shukriya.
sorry, forgot to add in the last line – “..would appreciate that you retrieve my comments and put them back – unless you can tell me why and how my comments violated PFC guidelines. And if I have violated these guidelines, my apologies in advance.”
I’ve followed PFC from the time Oz was asking for people to be part of it, and remain a big fan. Thanks.
This post brought back the memories of the shoot. Eagerly awaiting to see it on big screen!
all the best sir.
@Marlon – didn’t you post your comment as “gaurang”? I happened to be online when you had commented, saw your second comment for a few seconds before it disappeared!
Best of luck for you film Pavan. Please post the script on PFC if and when it is possible.
Pavan,
All the very best.
Manoj Masand
Sincerely wish you the best Sir! Something gives me the feeling this film is going to be much appreciated.
Regards
Ashok
Pavan ji i wanted to ask you some details of shooting at Rohtang pass…the obvious difficulties are apparent but best suited time of the year and pitfalls to look out for. I am interested in making a short film there. if you could give me your email id id be obliged.
Marlon Brando i read through your comments. Actually my post no#6 and no#7 too did not appear yesterday. I guess it might have gone into spam since they are here today so no need to make a big deal of it.
But buddy you are lying when you say there was nothing objectionable in your comment.Since i came back to check why my posts have not appeared I read one of your posts which was very vicious and extremely rude. You addressed Pavan ji as ‘oye’ and ended your rant up with something like ‘your film should not be Bhram but Bhrasht’ and a thousand exclamation marks followed. I was surprised at this kind of animosity and that the moderators had let it go..but now i see they have rightly edited it out. They have to ensure that invited celebrities are not exposed to such uncalled for rude remarks.
Chill marlon…live up to the alias you have chosen..he had class man. He wouldnt ever disrespect a maker. Nobody would and should if you are a passionate follower of cinema. It only shows you up in a bad light. So cool it..
Cheers!
@Aditya – no that wasn’t me, but it does look like comments disappearing is a regular feature here!! lol… Let’s hope this makes it!
Vinay – thanks, you’ve been gracious in your reply. My apologies if I was rude in my second comment.
The exact term I used was “Oye hello” (if at all the comment comes back, you can see that was it was) a term which is very common, and is used among friends too. I admire your respect for Pavan. My second comment was made before striker told me that it is the editor/spam filter that cut out the comment and NOT the author. Therefore I held Pavan responsible for deleting my comment; also please note that Pavan’s post changed after my comment.
Oh and by the way, if it is the editors duty to ensure that “invited celebrities” aren’t exposed to rude remarks, don’t the same editors also have a responsibility towards readers and their comments? especially when those readers point out an issue in the “invited celebrities” post? and the same respected film-maker then changes his post, while the readers comment has been deleted?
As for exclamation marks, I don’t know how that changes anything!!!!!!
Given those facts, please try walking in my shoes before leveling those accusations at me. That’s all I ask. If you read my first comment and imagine what it would feel like to have it deleted (and the post changed) you would empathise with my second comment.
Once again, if I’ve offended you, or Pavan, I apologise.
And just to show how chilled out I am, I’m putting this behind and moving on. It doesn’t matter what the editors at PFC do, because if they wanted to do something, they’d have done something by now. Just shows whose more important here. See you in another life bro.
Pavan ji I just read your previous posts and thought of asking you this. Editing according to you is almost like a mainstay of film making. Have you ever had the experience of an editor who messed up what you had shot? or is it that you are always there during edits? Can any arbit editor understand the shot taking of a director? Suppose you have shot a scene with a whole lot of shot breakdowns and the editor doesnt look hard enough to locate it , wont the scene come out looking different? Its not just about cutting a scene but also joining the relevant shots some may be just a few seconds length wise. But can transform the whole feel of the scene. maybe a close up of a flitting emotion…maybe a pan on a prop..anything, which had a purpose while being shot. What f the editor messes up? sorry if I sound raw, but have always been curious.now on seeing the preview of Bhram, this struck me once again. I really liked the edit. Will appreciate a response when you find the time.I personally know ads in Mumbai some of them consider you the last word in such matters. Please do share with us. this is a learning space where ambitious makers who are beginning can take a leaf out of your book.Thanks for reading through my ramble. It was spontaneous and inspired. i think film makers just make films regardless of bo and success parameters. Those are the best kind since they are driven by just their vision. i dont think Coppola or scorsese ever bothered themselves with mundanities. what do you think? How much does it affect you when you have to put in the same amount if not double the effort with new comers instead of established cast? i liked your last line and the one before that. ‘its about making films..before after cease to matter.” that is ideal..
thanks
Interesting.Given a choice I would definitely want to watch films like Bhram, Dor, Khosla ka ghosla and all rather than welcome and Oso and all that crap.At least here we are sure of the good intentions of the team that they want to make sensible cinema. Not that some guys are pheraoing topi on us and laughing their way to the bank.
All the best ..looking forward to Bhram
The promos look fantastic! Cant wait to watch Bhram!
As always, an excellent read. Intelligent cinema, in my opinion, is slowly becoming a necessity rather than a luxury. I am glad that you belong to that class of film-makers who choose to treat film-making more as art than commerce. Kudos to you! Looking forward to BHRAM!
Impressive!! Encouraging as well to other makers stuck in despondency! Thanx
Very impressive write up by Pavan Kaul.Shows his artistic bent of mind.Eagerly looking forward to seeing the film and appreciating the good work of all the people who have contributed in making this film,more particularly that of Pavan and Hiroo
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Mr.& Mrs Bhasin
Just wanted to say that your blog on the making of the movie has been an interesting read. The movie looked interesting enough from the trailers but reading your blog has certainly increased my curiousity regarding the final product.Will definitely go n watch the movie as soon as it hits the screens.I hope it does well and the effort which you and your crew members have put in is rewarded.Gud Luck!:)
Pleanty of steamy scenes and sexy girls in Bhram
http://www.rediff.com/movies/2008/apr/04bhram.htm
no review of bhrahm on pfc till now:-?
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/moviereview/2926606.cms
TOI joking??????????????
3 reviews by nikhat kazmi in same day:o
how she managed to c.
so short nd poor review she gave to bhrahm.:(
You actually take Nikhatoo kazmis reviews seriously? I have nt seen Bhram but just becoz she has hardly said anything about it is clear that she hasnt understood the film..and becoz its a guarantee that what she writes the opposite is true I am sure Bhram will be great.. at least that is what my colleagues told me that Bhram is simply superb and a brilliant effort by Pavan kaul
Rediff has liked Bhram and had nothing negative to say about it and yet gave it 2 stars..funny.
khalid mohamad on bhrahm
http://tinyurl.com/578wwc
Deepshikha plays Shobha De in Bhram
http://tinyurl.com/6px36o
is sobhade in bhrahm?
:-?
Like Bhram a lot. just finished seeing it.
0. I liked actually loved the eerie look and feel of the movie. A lot of the characters were mysterious and menacing and helped keep the thrill element up.
1. I dint know Dino Morea could act. He is a very decent performer for a model turned actor. I might actually see moreof his movies. his looks dont hurt the eyes either.
2. Milind was best with his brooding looks. Hated the beard though. You shud have just kept the long locks.
3.Simone Singh was very good . Sheetal was good too like Kangna Ranaut was in Ganster was it. Actually Kangna would have aced this role. Sheetal’s performance wasnt intense enough although she had ample oppurtunity. But she was better than most model tuened actresses(if they can call themselves that !!!)
4. Loved the scene – When Dino’s character opens the door for his bhabhi at the end and both their faces literally speak to each other. Those two have good chemistry too.!!!
Maybe for another movie. :-)
Looking forward to your next.