The success of the crowdfunded web series, The Other Love Story, gave director Roopa Rao the confidence to take the challenge by launching her feature film, Gantu Moote, which again has been bankrolled in the same format.

Featuring Teju Belawadi and Nischith Korodi in the lead roles, Gantu Moote is a coming-of-age story of a 16-year-old girl and her transition from a filmy lifestyle to facing the realities of life.

Roopa felt that the story wasn’t conventional, and, along with her friend Sahadev, she decided to make this film through crowdfunding. “We started a company called Ameyukti Studios, and investment for the film mostly came through our friends,” says Roopa, who has also written and directed the film.

“The journey has been good so far,” she says, adding, “This has been possible only because of the support system we have. Movie-making is never a single-person job, and I am blessed to have the best talents around me.” 

Gantu Moote, which has got a U/A certificate, has been doing the rounds in various film festivals. It has even won awards for best screenplay and best director in several of these festivals. The team is planning to release the film in October.