Filmmaking is an expensive medium. Actor-turned-director Rajat Kapoor had to tap various sources to raise money for his movie Raghu Romeo which releases this Friday.
Directing a movie had been a dream of Rajat, a graduate from Pune's FTII, who was seen in marginal roles in Dil Chahta Hai and Monsoon Wedding . And to realize his dream with his movie 'Raghu Romeo', Rajat had to face many odds that he surmounted in an unusual way.
To start with Rajat met many producers in Bollywood to finance his movie, but they wanted him to cast a famous actor in it. But Rajat was clear about who would play the protagonist in the movie - Vijay Raaz , who played a paan-eating tentwala in 'Monsson Wedding'.
But then to Rajat's relief, the government run National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC) provided fifty per cent funds. To raise the remaining money, Rajat started emailing friends for help. In the meantime, Bombay Times ran a cover story on him after which help started pouring in. In return, Kapoor gave each contributor a promissory note guaranteeing return of money.
And today, Rajat can reflect back on his efforts with the contentment that 'Raghu Romeo' has been reviewed at more than a dozen film festivals and has received the Best Film award at Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) Film Festival.
Filmmaking is an expensive medium. Actor-turned-director 