By Nick Christophers
It is one thing to dream of showcasing your talents and another to do it. Akahata Honnavar has broken down barriers from her native India to the shore of New York. In her youth she was influenced by cinema from her film loving family. This is where the seed was planted and would only grow to newer pastures. As of this writing she has already been involved in over twenty projects. She would eventually become a producer / assistant director on many projects.
“Like most lovers of cinema in India, I was brought up by avid film going parents. I was naturally drawn to the dream world of cinema and what unfolded on the celluloid. In India, almost every film is a musical and perhaps reflects the way people live in this part of the world. Music, fantasy, and dramatic dialogues are an integral part of the escapist fare of popular cinema. I am unashamedly influenced by the ‘larger-than-life’ characters and incredible situations that permeates almost every film story in India. I am not sure how or when the transition from being a huge film fan to wanting to be a filmmaker happened.”
During her journey in filmmaking, she was drawn the technique by Formalism and its manifestations. One of her main goals when it comes to creating cinema is using it as a tool of social change. The film “Bicycle Thieves” by Vittorio De Sica left a lasting impression on her which is what is termed Italian Neorealism. Of the many projects she has worked on the short “A Story Called Life” which she completed in 2020. To her benefit “A Story Called Life” won many awards. Notably NY International Film Awards, the NY Movie Awards for “Best Super Short Film” and won the prestigious award in India “Dada Saheb Phalke Award”. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India’s highest award in the field of cinema. It is presented annually at the National Film Awards ceremony by the Directorate of Film Festivals, an organization set up by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It also was an official selection in many other festivals. The project showcases real people on the streets with their thoughts expressed through an engaging spoken narrative. It begins in a somber mood but ends up inspirational.
“‘A story called life’, showcases real people on streets with their thoughts expressed through an engaging spoken narrative. The film moves from a brooding visual flow to that of hope, smiles and inspiration. In its essence, the film is a tribute to Neorealism.”
Only recently she completed a full-length project as a producer which takes an international road between India and USA. The film is a family story that focuses on the relationship between daughter and father and how they deal with a tragic moment within the family. Her work has also been recognized by the Hollywood International Golden Age Festival, Sweden Film Festival and Miami Indie Film Festival as an innovative filmmaker. Another of her projects “Life in Covid” was a semifinalist at one of the top festivals in Korea.
Akahata is now working hard on a few small projects. The first one being a TV series entitled “Chase” which will have 9 episodes, the first one was just completed, the second is a TV pilot called “Buda” (which is in pre-production)and lastly, she is developing content for the Bhakti Center called “Rise Masterclass”. Akahata has advanced exponentially in just a few years and has become a staple on the US cinema scene and will only grow from here on out.
Check out an additional video on YouTube.
