Indian filmmaker Kumar Chheda's debut short film "HALFWAY" premiered at the MAMI Film Festival, winning the Silver Award for Best Film. It also had its international premiere at the BFI FLARE London Film Festival as the only Indian entry. Additionally, "HALFWAY" has been chosen by the British Council as one of the top five films from the festival, to be distributed in over 200 countries and 20+ languages as part of their FiveFilms4Freedom program, celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.
In an interview with Asian Voice, Kumar spoke about the inspiration behind his short film "HALFWAY," the challenges he faced during its production, and what audiences can take away from the film.
1. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the story and what motivated you to explore the theme about “Queer”?
Well, there's no answer more cliché than this, but the film is somewhat inspired by my own life experiences. Like many, I've experienced love and heartbreak firsthand. There are times when we don't put in the effort to make things work and allow people to leave our lives. This film is an attempt to explore an alternate reality, to view my own relationships from a more mature perspective and envision love enduring. Choosing to tell this story through a queer lens was deliberate. It aims to depict love without boundaries or restrictions, emphasising that love is simply love. The story could have worked with any couple, regardless of race, gender, or identity, but its potency lies in subtly normalising queer relationships. When viewers see themselves in a queer character and relate to their experiences, understanding naturally follows.
2. As a young and independent filmmaker, what were some of the challenges you faced during the production of "Halfway", and how did you overcome them?
Making an independent short film is always challenging, and creating a queer film added another layer of difficulty. There's minimal funding available for indie queer shorts, so we knew we had to give it our all. With limited resources, we had to be creative, shooting at Juhu beach (Mumbai) without formal permissions and racing against time. We aimed for inclusivity in both our set and crew, but balancing quality and ethical filmmaking posed its own challenges. However, I was fortunate to have an incredible crew who championed the story we wanted to tell. Their support, especially when I had to step in as an actor last minute, was invaluable. This film owes everything to their dedication and talent.
3. What do you hope audiences will take away from watching "Halfway", especially regarding its exploration of relationships and identity?
I hope that Halfway evokes that warm feeling of love once again for audiences. It explores the complexities of relationships, something universal to all, regardless of background. By reflecting on the challenges and beauty of love, I aim to resonate with viewers and evoke memories of their own relationships. For the queer community especially, I hope the film provides comfort and validation, showcasing love stories that reflect their own experiences and identities. Ultimately, I hope Halfway encourages everyone to keep walking halfway in their relationships, to see them through with love and understanding.
4. Finally, what's next for you as a filmmaker? Do you have any upcoming projects or themes you're excited to explore in your future work?
Currently, I'm immersed in the production of my debut feature film titled "PECH," centred around two 12-year-olds in Mumbai. I'm actively seeking international co-production opportunities for the project and aiming to commence filming by year-end. Additionally, I'm engaged in writing a commissioned feature and developing a new television series, all revolving around themes of society and family. As a filmmaker deeply rooted in political narratives, I find inspiration in the world's struggles and hardships, driving me to tell stories that resonate on a global scale. While "Halfway" may be my least overtly political work, I take pride in its subtle contribution to normalising queerness. Looking ahead, I'm excited to continue exploring storytelling avenues that shed light on Indian and South Asian experiences for audiences worldwide.
