a film by Anu Menon - Shoreline Entertainment

a f il m by A nu M enon
4 // Short Synopsis
5 // Long Synopsis
7 // Production Notes
9 // Director’s Statement
10 // Word from the Producers
11 // Principal Cast
12 // About the Lead Actors
15 // About the Supporting Actors
16 // Production Credits
17 // Director’s Biography
18 // About the Producers
21 // Film Specifications
22 // Full Credits
27 // Contact
CO N T E N T S
SYNOPSIS
Log Line
A retired professor whose
wife has been in a coma
for eight months meets a
terrified young wife whose
husband has slipped
into coma after a sudden
accident. Will grief drive
them both insane, or
can two lonely strangers
support each other?
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S H O RT S Y N O P S I S
At the heart of it, ‘Waiting’ is a film about a special
relationship between two people who befriend each
other unexpectedly in a hospital while nursing their
individual spouses in coma. It is a film about grief,
yes, but it is also about confronting it. Tenderly and
humorously, the film besets you with its central
query—what does it really mean to love someone—is
it to let go of your beloved in spite of your emotional
need for them or is it to unconditionally accept them
in whichever shape or form they are. Shiv and Tara,
the protagonists of ‘Waiting’ discover that there are
no easy answers to the human predicament bound to
suffering and grief, unless they shift their own ideas
of attachment and love. Finding a foil and a mirror
in each other, they tumble together on this journey
of their inner transformation, even as their world is
falling apart externally.
Shiv Natraj (played by Naseeruddin Shah) is a 64
year old retired Philosophy Professor, withdrawn
and wry, while Tara Kapoor (played by Kalki) is a 26
year old city slicker who thrives, even revels in its
fast pace. While Shiv is cerebral, averse to drama
and seemingly balanced, Tara erupts easily, and
lapses into irreverent speech frequently. Unlikely
companions otherwise, Shiv and Tara become
kindred spirits, united into a bubble of special
sorrow, which then soon bursts as they slip into their
individual webs of fears and weaknesses.
Confronted with grief in all its different stages, they
are pushed to re-examine their individual ideas
of love and attachment, with their inner conflicts
playing up against the dark and mysterious Cochin
backwaters. The story is told light heartedly, filled
with banter and insight, making the drama instantly
accessible and engaging.
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LO N G S Y N O P S I S
And then, in the hospital canteen, she meets one
person who understands her. Shiv, 65, is a gentle
retired professor who every day visits his wife on
the ward where she has remained in a coma for
the last eight months. She has brain damage, is
unresponsive, and shows no sign of
recovering. But
Shiv patiently waits for her to improve, day after day,
tidying her blankets, reading to her, talking to her.
At first, Shiv seems to know so much that Tara thinks
he must be one of the doctors. Then when she learns
that he is in the same position as her, although they
are from different worlds and different generations,
the two become friends. He is her mentor, her life
coach, her anchor. She is his lifeline, a connection
back to the land of the living. He encourages her to
eat. She makes him laugh.
Tara, 26, is a beautiful and dynamic Mumbai social
media consultant, the distillation of modern Indian
youth. She’s just married, she has lots of friends,
she’s made a feminist music video, she updates
every moment of her life on twitter – her life is
full and hectic. Her biggest complaint from life is
that she has no time for herself! Until one day her
husband Rajat is involved in a serious car accident,
leaving him in a coma in intensive care in Cochin.
In less than 6 hours, Tara’s life is turned upside
down. She is alone in a dingy grey hospital waiting
room in a city where she knows no one. She watches
impotently as she is passed from nurse to doctor to
nurse, and drip-fed incomprehensible jargon. And no
one will tell her what she really wants to know: will
her husband ever wake up? And if he does, will he
still be the husband she knew? She calls her friends
in Mumbai, who are well meaning but useless:
their idea of help is to post encouraging messages
on Facebook. She is completely alone, and rapidly
spiraling down the plughole.
But in medicine nothing stays the same forever.
Dr. Nirupam, the slick, self-styled ‘God’ of the
neurosurgical unit, tells Tara that Rajat needs
an operation to survive, even though it will mean
removing a large part of his brain. She doesn’t know
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LO N G S Y N O P S I S
ever. Meanwhile Shiv goes on a hunger strike to
force the hospital operate on his wife – making an
utter fool of himself.
what to do, frightened of the consequences for her
previously fit husband. Wouldn’t he rather die than
be left crippled, a vegetable almost?
At last, tired and exhausted, Tara and Shiv talk once
more. He takes her back to his home, where they
eventually get drunk - he teaches her the tango, and
she outrages his neighbours. By the end of the night,
Tara has realised that her love for her husband is
stronger than she imagined, while Shiv recognises
Facing opposite dilemmas, when Shiv and Tara meet, that holding onto his wife does not prove his undying
love for her.
they end up having a huge argument. Shiv accuses
Tara that she is rejecting Rajat’s surgery because
In the morning, Tara consents to Rajat’s operation,
she is scared that she does not love her husband
enough to accept him as a cripple. Hurt but knowing while Shiv agrees to let his wife come off life
support. Tara and Shiv are left alone again in the
Shiv might be right, she lashes back at Shiv calling
him selfish who is holding onto his wife just because Waiting room at the hospital. They have nothing to do
he is scared of being alone. A wall goes up between now except wait.
them.
Meanwhile Nirupam tells Shiv that his wife’s
treatment should be withdrawn. Shiv reacts angrily,
and threatening Dr. Nirupam that he will go any
lengths to ensure his wife gets the treatment she
deserves.
Tara’s friend Ishita arrives to comfort her, but her
whirlwind visit leaves her feeling more alone than
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...And he said Yes!
A legend and perhaps the most respected actor
in the Indian film Industry, Naseeruddin Shah is
known for his sharp criticism and speaking his mind
without mincing his words. After handing the script
to his Manager, the team did not hear back from him
for a few months. Just as they were about to give
up hope, the Writer/ Director Anu Menon received a
short crisp mail from him. He enjoyed the script and
asked where and when to land up! And four months
from that date the shooting of the film started.
P R O D U C T IO N
N OT E S
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God’s own country, Cochin
The film was originally set in Bangalore, a bustling
metropolis in Southern India. However once the
numbers were put on an excel sheet, Bangalore
proved to be unaffordable. “Can we cheat Cochin
as Bangalore?” asked Nancy Beso, the production
superwoman who had been shooting quite a few
ad films over there. The director’s response was
to change the setting of the film to Cochin – which
added a whole new wonderful layer to the film.
Cochin, with its picturesque backwaters and a
slow pace of life, provides an interesting contrast
to the heartbreak the characters are experiencing.
Especially for Tara who is suddenly plucked out her
buzzing Mumbai life to a serene holiday spot and
thrown into an abyss of grief.
Wonderwomen!
It was not by design but Waiting ended being pretty
much an all women crew. It led to cheeky T-shirts
being printed that said “Wo(men) at work” - which
even the few good men on the set wore sportingly. It
was a tough shoot but the girl talk and camaraderie
took a lot of the edge off.
P R O D U C T IO N
N OT E S
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Waiting is a very personal film, through which I
would like explore what does it really mean to love
someone - is it to have the strength to let go of your
loved one even if it kills you... or to have the courage
to accept them in whatever shape and form they
are in. One could also perhaps call it an anatomy of
grief - closely observing what it does to you. But at
the heart of it all, it is a relationship film - of Shiv
and Tara, the two unlikely characters who become
kindred spirits and help each other out.
Shiv is soft spoken, erudite, opinionated and pretty
content with all the choices he has made in life.
He met his wife, Pankaja in college in Delhi . She
pretty much called the shots and he blissfully
floated along. Shiv and Pankaja never had children,
but neither of them was heartbroken when it didn’t
happen. Shiv doesn’t know how to live without
Pankaja - and hence by pretending that she is going
to come back, he feels he will not to have to face the
reality.
Tara is a feisty, earthy Bombay girl. She lives on
the fast lane - she always has things to, places to
go, people to meet. She is always - connected! On
facebook, on twitter - she shares pretty much every
meal, every thought with her vast online network.
She is what you would call desi cool - she only
watches American TV series box sets but can dance
all night to the latest Bollywood song. She is crazy
about Rajat and still in that ‘can’t keep yours hands
off’ stage. But when she sees Rajat all bashed up,
she can’t bear to even touch him. She wants it all
to go away as she doesn’t know if she has it in her
to take on Rajat in this form. But eventually she
realises she does.
The subject is grim alright, but I didn’t want to make
a grey hospital film. There is plenty of humour and
banter. It deals with heavy subjects but with a light
touch - humour always helps with that. I want this
film to be accessible and enjoyable - even as it
makes people think about their relationships and
grief.
DI R EC TO R ’ S
S TAT E M E N T
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WO R D F R O M
PRODUCERS
“Waiting” is real life situations, situations that
see no barriers of country, nationality or religion.
Our aim was to bring out the subtle nuances of
relationships, emotions that we fail to notice while
we traverse through these situations. Our endeavour
has been successful. Anyone who watches the film
will not only relate to it, but will also be amazed with
this poignant yet beautiful story!
In today’s day and time, there is a compelling need to
tell life-affirming stories about human relationships.
Stories that reflect a modern India. Stories that deal
with a sensitive subject but are told with a lightness,
much like life itself. From what we read at the script
stage to what we see now, Waiting has turned out
exactly that way. It beautifully maneuvers through
a sensitive landscape and yet retains a life like
positivity. We are absolutely proud of this film!
Priti Gupta, Ishka Films
Manish Mundra, Drishyam Films
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Shiv Natraj
Tara Deshpande
Dr Nirupam
Pankaja Menon
Naseerudin Shah
Kalki Koechlin
Rajat Kapoor
Suhasini Maniratnam
Girish
Rajat Deshpande
Ishita
Rajeev ravindranathan
Arjun Mathur
Ratnabali Bhatacharjee
P R I N C I PA L CAS T
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A B O U T T H E AC TO R S
NASEERU DDIN
SHAH
With a career spanning over 40 years and almost
200 films to his credit, Naseeruddin Shah is one
of the most revered and loved actors in India. He
has won numerous awards through the years and
the government of India has honoured him with the
Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan awards for his
contributions to Indian cinema. However he calls
‘theatre’ his true love and is one of the most highly
distinguished theatre actors and directors. Recently
he penned his autobiography and found literary
success as well.
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A B O U T T H E AC TO R S
KALKI
KO E C H L I N
One of the most relaxed creative people you will ever
meet, Kalki Koechin is an explosion of talent. An
Indian actress with a French descent, Kalki is one
of most interesting actresses of her generation with
an eclectic filmography. She turns up in mainstream
Bollywood films like Zindagi na Milegi Dobara and Ye
Jawaani Hai Dewani with as much as ease as picking
up awards for her stellar performances in festival
favourites like Margarita with a Straw. She is also a
prominent theatre director, writer and actress.
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A B O U T T H E AC TO R S
R A J AT
KAPOOR
Rajat Kapoor is a man of many talents. One of
the most respected Directors in India, his films
are considered path breaking and have won many
accolades. He is also a very well known actor with
both Indian and International films to his credit.
Rajat is also a leading theatre director and actor, and
travels the world with his plays.
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S U P P O R T I N G AC TO R S
SUHASINI
M A N I R AT N A M
Many times national Award winner, Suhasini
Maniratnam is a leading actress in South Indian
cinema and has acted in more than 100 films. She
is also a classical Bharatnatyam dancer, a trained
cinematographer and a film director.
ARJ U N
M AT H U R
Arjun is a highly regarded actor who has always
impressed critics with his performance. Arjun works
across Indian and International projects and he is
currently starring in the British television series
Indian Summer, on Channel Four.
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PRODUCTION
CREDITS
DIRECTOR
PRODUCERS
STORY,
SCREENPLAY
DIALOGUES
EXECUTIVE
PRODUCER
Anu Menon
Priti Gupta
Manish Mundra
Anu Menon
Jimmy Ruzicka
Atika Chohan
Nancy Beso
C I N E M ATO G R A P H Y
EDITING
MUSIC
SOUND
Neha Parti Matiyani
Nitin Baid
Apurva Asrani
Mikey McCleary
Mandar Kamlapurkar
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After a decade of strategic planning in Advertising
Agencies in India and Singapore, Anu Menon decided
to give it all up to chase her filmmaking dream. She
graduated from the London Film School with an MA
in Filmmaking and a rare distinction.
Her short films Ravi Goes to School, Fock Helen
and Harry and Baby have been screened at various
prestigious film festivals like Tribeca, Edinburgh
International Film Festival etc.
Her first feature film London Paris New York, a 20th
Century Fox presentation was released in March
2012 to critical acclaim.
‘Waiting’ is her second feature film.
Anu lives in London and works between India and the
West. In her work, she tries to reflect the worldview
that she has gained thanks to her varied experiences
of different cultures across the world. Even as
she delves specifically into a character rooted in a
culture, the issues she raises are universal.
FILMOGRAPHY:
• Waiting, Writer / Director 2015
• London Paris New York, Writer / Director 2012
• Ravi goes to School, Writer / Director 2007
DI R ECTO R ’ S
BIOGRAPHY
17
MANISH MUNDRA
P R I T I G U P TA
Manish Mundra is a producer and the founder of
Drishyam Films. With the vision to create contentdriven cinema, he set up Drishyam Films, a global
motion-picture studio that has produced festival
favourites and award-winning films such as Masaan
(Cannes 2015), Umrika (Sundance 2015) and Dhanak
(Berlinale 2015). His firm belief in creating an
ecosystem that strongly focuses on content, led
him to partnering with Sundance Institute, USA for
setting up the Drishyam-Sundance Screenwriters’
Lab. A renowned supporter of Indian independent
cinema, Manish is also one of the patrons of Mumbai
International Film Festival.
Verve. Dynamism. Knowledge. Passion. Perfection.
Leadership. These are some of the many qualities of
the multi-faceted Priti Gupta. Straddling the worlds
of business and arts with ease and innate grace,
Priti radiates calm confidence, inspiring everyone
around her to perform beyond expectations.
Awarded on several platforms by dignitaries like Shri
Narendra Modi, Shri Amit Shah, she has won Woman
Leader of the Year by NDTV, or by Zee business
for her contributions to the field of commodities.
Priti combined her love for films with her business
acumen to launch Ishka Films to make content
driven, meaningful, credible cinema. Her incredible
leadership skills and her drive for perfection aims to
ensure that Ishka reaches the heights it is
destined to.
ABOUT THE
PRODUCERS
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Unyielding Passion. Glitz and glamour. Sublime
performances. Experience and craft. An eye for
detail. Nuances and subtlety. All of these combined
with the fine art of story telling. That is what a film is
all about. Or should be.
you will know it’s an Ishka Films creation. For us,
it’s not just about the actors or the scripts or the
camera angles. The true essence of a film is finding
beauty in every object, every situation and amplifying
it to reach thousands of people, connecting with
their hearts and minds.
This is what we believe. And that is what we have set
out to create. Each time.
Founded by Priti Gupta, Ishka Films is at the
forefront of meaningful cinema, producing films that
So when you see a story flowing effortlessly, when
reflect real emotions, films that you will take back
you see movies that entertain and amuse and give
with you when you go home at the end of the show,
you food for thought, make you laugh and make you
films that you can watch again and again. And again.
cry, make you wonder on the beauty of everyday life,
ABOUT THE
PRODUCERS
19
The essence of Drishyam is the Kalpvriksha, the
divine tree of life, constantly evolving yet firmly
rooted in its origin. Similarly, our films reflect our
passion for cinema, and we hope the endeavour that
began with Rajat Kapoor’s Ankhon Dekhi heralds a
cinematic movement that celebrates the new and
unique narratives of our land.
winning two prestigious awards. The film had a great
theatrical run of six weeks in India and garnered
acclaim from audiences and critics, alike.
Drishyam Films has collaborated with the renowned
Sundance Institute, USA to organise Screenwriters
Lab for budding Indian writers. We have recently set
up a VFX studio specialising in post production and
visual effects for feature films and commercials.
We are touted as the only Indian production
company whose films have won awards at top three
international film festivals in the same year. Our
most recent production Masaan directed by Neeraj
Ghaywan, premiered in the Un Certain Regard
section at Cannes 2015 and brought home laurels by
A global motion picture studio in the making,
Drishyam Films is constantly thriving to showcase
the best of Indian and international talent in
storytelling.
ABOUT THE
PRODUCERS
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FILM
S P E C I F I C AT I O N S
COUNTRY
LANGUAGE
GENRE
R AT I N G
RUNNING TIME
India 2015
English, Hindi
Drama
Unrated
1h 32m
FO R M AT
F R A M E R AT E
A S P E CT R AT I O
SOUND
SHOT ON
35mm Digital Capture
24
2.35:1
5.1
Sony CineAlta F65
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F U L L
C R E D I T S
Directed By Anu Menon
Produced by Priti Gupta
Produced by Manish Mundra
C A S T
Shiv Naseeruddin Shah
Lokesh (Tara’s co-worker) Gavin
Tara Kalki Koechlin
Bharat (The Messenger) Chirag Dave
Dr. Nirupam Rajat Kapoor
Indira (Shiv’s Neighbour’s Maid) Shilpa
Pankaja (Shiv’s wife) Suhasini Maniratnam
Nalini (Shiv’s Neighbour) Jennifer
Rajat (Tara’s husband) Arjun Mathur
Panicker Minaraj
Nurse Ann Nandini
Smita (Ward clerk) Sujina
Nurse Prema Merin
Man next to Tara on flight Jagesh Mukati
Dr. Ravi (Junior doctor) Krishna Sankar
Hospital Porter Akhil
Dr. Vishwanath (Night Doctor) Dinesh Nair
Patient on Wheelchair Gautam Pisharody
Girish (Guy from Rajat’s Local office) Rajeev Ravindranathan
Patient’s Mother Lali
Ishita (Tara’s friend) Ratnabali Bhatacharya
Bank Manager Gopan Ram
Dilip (Ishita’s husband) Tanvir
Nirupam’s Secretary Somya
Pinky (Ishita’s Friend) Anjali Khurana
Vinay (Pinky’s Husband) Sahil Gambhir
Kushal (Tara’s co-worker) Ashish Bhatia
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Story & Screenplay Anu Menon and Jimmy Ruzicka
D R I S H YA M
Dialogue Writer Atika Chohan
FI LM S
Cinematographer Neha Parti Matyani
Editors Nitin Baid
CEO Shiladitya Bora
Apurva Asrani
Finance Rakesh Totla
Music Composer Mikey McCleary
Gaurav Jain
Location Sync Sound Recording Mandar Kamlapurkar
Deepa Gupta
Sound Editing, Designing & Mixing Roland Heap
International Sales Svetlana Naudiyal
Production Designer Prajakta Ghate
Production Raghav Gupta
Costume Designer Shroboshi Samata
Marketing & Communication Shraddha Chauhan
Jahan Singh Bakshi
DI R ECTIO N
Reishabh Kailey
TEA M
Ritika Bhatia
Logistics Umar Mansuri
Vishwas Sawant
1st Assistant Director Sanjog Sapkal
2nd Assistant Director Anuj Saini
Script & Continuity Supervisor Aakar Kaushik
P RO D U CTIO N
Kochi Assistant Director Shihabudeen K A
3rd Assistant Director Nav Nirman Singh
Executive Producer Nancy Nisa Beso
IS H K A
Line Producer Dyuti Geete
FI LM S
Line Producer (Kochi) Amir Ul Rameez
Production Coordinator Aman Khan
Cochin Production Manager Sherin Kalavoor
Associate Producer Poonam Punjabi
Cochin Production Assistant Sam Xavier
Ishka Films- Advisor Ashok Ahuja
Transport Manager Thomas
Production Assistant Umang Mittal
Production Accountant Ashish Choudary
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COST U M E
CH O R EOG R A PHY
Costume Assistant Rita Bawadiya
Dressman Vinu Channar
Choreographer Shampa Gopikrishna
Tailor Mohammed Fakhruddin Teghi
Choreographer Assistant Paras Sharma
Laundry man Rakesh Savar Kanaujiya
CASTI N G
M A KE
Casting Director Shubham Gaur
Make - Up Designer Subhash Shinde
Casting Director Gautam Pisharody
Make - Up Assistant Satyawir chaudhary
Junior Artist Supplier- Kochi Samson Joseph
Make - Up Assistant Shantaram B. Shinde
Junior Artist Supplier- Mumbai Ravindra Suri
Hair Dresser Sangita P. Soni
Junior Artist Co-Ordinator Sachin Rai
P RO D U CTIO N
U P
Prosthetic make up for Arjun Mathur Nilesh Patkar
D ES IG N
E DITI N G
Art Director Shiji Pattnam
Assistant Editor Dhanajay Kawde
Assistant Art Director Shweta gupta/ Bijoy James
Harshit Sharma
Art Intern Rahul Joshi
Set Dresser Pathri Srinu
POST PRO DUCTIO N S U PE RVISO N
Set Dresser Satyanarayana Agidi
Prop Boys Vishvas Chinchgharkar
Suresh Borlakunta
Assistant Editor Dhanajay Kawde
Harshit Sharma
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FO U R
CA M E R A
CR EW
F R A M ES
CR EW
Four Frames Crew Ajit Kumar Thakur
Four Frames Crew Radhkrishnan Palakad
Four Frames Crew Biju Thomas
1st Assistant Camera & Gaffer Vidushi Tiwari
Four Frames Crew Dileesh Punnapra
2nd Assistant Camera Rohit Kumar
Four Frames Crew Sudhi Trissur
Camera Intern Jithin Mohan
Four Frames Crew Sumesh Wayanad
Focus Puller Ashish Salwan
Four Frames Crew Bineesh Ponnani
R. Sridharan
Four Frames Crew Dileep Pottel
Camera Attendants Srinivasulu G.
Four Frames Crew Shinto Ponnani
Mohammed Asif Khan
Four Frames Crew Biji Kazhakuttam
Konaki Raja Sekhara Naidu
Four Frames Crew Sanal Ernakulam
DIT Team - Prime Focus Hitesh Mitaliya
Four Frames Crew Prince Kynadi
G R I PS
LIG HT & LIG HT CR EW - M U M BAI
Grips team Abdul Rahim Shaikh
Art Director Shiji Pattnam
Sajid
Assistant Art Director Shweta gupta/ Bijoy James
Prashant Pujari
Art Intern Rahul Joshi
Prashant Hate
Set Dresser Pathri Srinu
Set Dresser Satyanarayana Agidi
Prop Boys Vishvas Chinchgharkar
VF X
Suresh Borlakunta
Innovative Animations Bibek Basu
Shankhadip Basu
Arpit Kumar Malasiya
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DI/CO LO R IST
LEG A L
Colorist Ashriwand
Line Producer Tanya Maheshwari
Legal Advisors Neo Juris, Advocates & Solicitors
Studio Prime Focus Studio
Legal team Gitika Aggarwal
N.N. Aggarwal
L O C AT I O N S O U N D
Jaya Goyal
Romika Chawla
1st Boom Operator Rajesh Anant Sawant
Attendant Pravin Motiram Naik
IS H KA
POST PRODUCTION SOUND
FI N A N CE
TEA M
AVP Narendra Jain
Manager Narendra Mishra
Sound Editing, Designing & Pre Mix Studio Sound Dispostion
Senior Officer Mukesh Sharma
Re Recording Mixer Roland Heap
Assistant Manager Nilesh Mehta
Sound Effects Editor Udit Duseja
Assistant Manager Sourabh Mantri
Dialogue Editor Marc Specter
Assistant Manager Govind Somani
Sound Editor Jamie Gamache
Senior Officer Yogesh Sharma
Foley Engineer Franziska Treutler
Senior Relationship Manager-Insurance Firoz Aga
Foley Artist Franka Beck
Insurer National Insurance Co.
Dubbing Studios Sound Disposition
Sunny Sound Studio
Mixing Studio Sound Disposition
M A KI N G
M U S IC
O F
Cameraman Faiz Siddik
Original Music Score By Mikey McCleary
Stills photograhper Anu Patnaik
All Instruments Performed By Mikey McCleary BGM Session Engineer Mikey McCleary
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C O N TA C T
PRODUCTION COMPANIES
SALES AGENT
ISHKA FOCUS FILM PRODUCTION LLP
DRISHYAM FILMS PVT. LTD.
SHORELINE ENTERTAINMENT
11th Floor, Times Tower, Kamla City,
7th Floor, Midas Chambers,
400 S. Beverly Drive
Senapati Bapat Marg Lower Parel,
Opp Yashraj Studios, Fun Republic Lane
Suite 210, Beverly Hills,
Mumbai - 400 013, India
Andheri (W), Mumbai - 400 053, India
CA 90212 USA
[email protected]
+91 22 6900 2092, info@drishyamfilms.
+1.310.551.2060, [email protected]
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