KAAFILA is topical in content and global in dimension - Ammtoje Mann

  • IndiaGlitz, [Monday,July 16 2007]

As mentioned by Ammtoje Mann, producer and director of Sunny Deol's upcoming film KAAFILA:

As we step ahead, at a time when doors of our entertainment industry are opening into different avenues of awareness and opportunity, it is but natural that we greet each other with cheer and celebration.

If on one hand there are increasing opportunities for us, for whom film making is beyond being just another business, on the other hand there is an increasing responsibility.

Towards the growing audiences.
Towards the influx of investors.
Towards ourselves.

Movies have always represented the times we live in.

Its lifestyles.
Its ideologies.
Its political system.

Having been born up in Punjab I cannot help having that patriotic fire in my thought process, which often may influence my film making.

Films like JIS DESH MEIN GANGA BEHTI HAI, JAAGTE RAHO, PREM ROG, RAM TERI GANGA MAILI, DEVDAS, PARINEETA, DO BIGHA ZAMEEN, PYAASA, MOTHER INDIA, GUNGA JUMNA, and KAAGAZ KE PHOOL depicted strong social issues.

As a film maker I too will always strive to entertain and reach out to maximum numbers in the audiences. But whilst viewing the 4500 metres of film if I can also pull at the conscience of my audience, I will feel it's a job well done.

I began my celluloid journey with the controversial subject of the 1984 Delhi riots in HAWAAYEIN. Being a Sikh and Indian, I too was disturbed. But also being a film maker I could not help feeling the responsibility to show to the world the reality from a closer quarter. With the honest intentions so that history was not repeated, be it the terrorism or the riots. In fact this yearning to put forth the truth gave me the inner strength to write the script, produce and direct HAWAAYEIN.

After HAWAAYEIN, today once again I have touched upon a subject which is topical in content and global in dimension. KAAFILA is the story of very real characters. Being based on the backdrop of illegal immigrant trafficking in the Asian sub-continent, the subject is very authentic and the canvas is colossal.

We have filmed KAAFILA in Europe, Ladakh, Manali and Punjab but the most effective location that we have exploited is the heart of the characters of the story. As a comparative new entrant to the entertainment business, I have shared my innermost views and vision with all you friends from the film fraternity. To seek blessings and good wishes.