Independent filmmaking may not be sustainable: Konkona Sen Sharma

National Award winning actress Konkona Sen Sharma, marked her debut in the world of directing with the critically acclaimed independent film A Death in the Gunj. However the actress is unsure how lucrative independent filmmaking is when it comes to sustainability.

She was speaking at a panel discussion titled 'The State of Independents' at the sixth edition of Dharamshala International Film Festival, with a panel consisting of filmmakers directors Rima Das (Village Rockstars), Pushpendra Singh (Ashwatthama), Karma Tarawa (Ralang Road), Bornila Chatterjee (The Hungry), and the Ektara Collective (Turup).

About funding of an independent film, Konkona shared her experience of directing her film and said that she was not expecting anyone to fund her film.

"I have acted in 40 films and out of them, some were nice, some were not. But with acting, somebody else is telling you the lines to say, somebody else is doing your make-up or telling you where to stand. And then at one point I just decided that wanted to write or direct," said the Lipstick Under My Burkha actress.

"I just started developing a story which was really close to me and kind of had been in my head since I divorced. It was great as a one off project, but when we think of long-term, I don't know how sustainable this (independent filmmaking) is, " Konkona added.

Asked if she is open to making another film, by going through the same process, she said, "I think I would be comfortable in this zone. I don't even see myself making something epic. I think I will be comfortable with this set-up." 

With films like Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, Omkara, Talvar and Wake Up Sid to her credit, Konkona stressed on the fact that the process of writing and getting actors is not that difficult, but it's after that "when it comes to production, distribution and PR... how can you compete with films with so much budget? You have to have a song and that is how you advertise and publicise your film," she said.