KAALA: THE COLOUR OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

Kaala,

As the movement against racism finds its feet in a prejudiced world, this documentary film depicts how being Kaala in India (or the world) is also about being severely discriminated and even harmed. As the movement gained wings in backdrop of a mob rampage against Africans, documentary filmmaker Tarun Jain took it upon himself to bring about awareness, and show how Africans in the national capital of Delhi were subjected to racism and how they were victims of this hatred. In the midst of escalating xenophobia and deep-rooted racism the world over against “dark-skinned” people is this crowd-funded documentary film Kaala which has qualified to be nominated for the Oscars in the Live Action Short Film category this year. It ignites concern on the grievous harm that Africans are subjected to, spun together from a series of real-life incidents and experiences.

Incidentally, Kaala recently won the Best Short Drama at the Cinequest Film & VR Festival in San José (CA). “Kaala was made to bring about awareness and acceptance of its (racism) existence in India, a severe matter that needs our attention and resolution,” says Delhi-based director and documentary film maker Tarun Jain, who along with his team scoured through extensive research, interactions with the African community in India from Nigeria, Congo, etc.

What the team collected was an insight into the lives, racist incidences, problems, unfriendly neighbourhoods, and other trials when faced with an inherent prejudice towards them. This brutal reality left Jain shocked.

Kaala is Jain’s third film, after Aakhir (At Last) a road thriller that was taken to over 40 festivals, and distributed across the US and Europe, and Amma Meri (Mother) which was shown at Tampere Film Festival (an Oscar qualifying festival), International Film Festival of India, Mumbai and International Film Festival.

The Sri Aurobindo Communication for Arts & Centre alumni had earlier assisted in Pairon Talle, directed by Siddharth Srinivisan among others.

Kaala inspired by incidences in Delhi some years ago shows the protagonist, Jude, a Nigerian walking alone at night in Delhi when he is mistaken as a drug supplier by a girl looking for drugs. An altercation witnessed by her men friends kindled by the girl sees Jude threatened, beaten, kicked, and when he tries to flee, he is captured only to find another twist to this tale.

“I have tried to explore the unkind, prejudiced mindset that has sadly creeped into our society, and has passed from generation to generation. There is a scene in the film where a mother refers to Jude, our protagonist as ‘Hapshi’ meaning monster. This is a reality in Northern India. In-fact, there is a sweet dish called ‘Hapshi halwa’ as it is black in colour,” adds Jain.

Crowd funded through

Wishberry, the team had the opportunity to interact, and qualify for the Oscars. In the midst of a pandemic, Covid changed the route of how the film was received at festivals. With interactions, live responses and meetings on hold, festivals have gone online.

So what does “qualifying for the Oscars” signify. Tarun says, “Qualifying for the Oscars means that the Oscar qualifying festivals like Cinequest picks one film each year to compete for the nomination in Live action short category. After winning the best narrative short drama award at Cinequest Film & VR Festival, Kaala has directly entered to compete for the nominations.”

Delhi girl Kaatyaayani Pandey is the lead actor in Kaala, and is now essaying a small role in a Hindi feature film.

What was the most difficult part?

Kaala was the first film I ever acted in. The best part was working with Tarun. The most difficult part was getting the depth and age in the voice of the character.

What are you working on now?

Earlier in college, I was in in college theatre, and working on my training. Kaala has set the precedent for all future projects. I have acted in a couple of other independent feature films and some plays in Delhi. At the moment, I have taken on a small role in a commercial Hindi feature film which would mark my foray into the world of commercial cinema.

Your upbringing, and how acting came about?

My mother, who is an Odissi dancer, insisted that I learn a classical art form during my formative years, so I trained in Bharatnatyam extensively for around 16 years. This exposure to Navarasa, Abhinayadarpan, Natyashastra sparked my interest in emoting, movement and storytelling. I did theatre in school and college, and felt an incredible peace amid the chaos of green rooms. Thus, slowly, acting became an inextricable part of my identity.

Your most memorable role?

My first play was in seventh grade. We were performing a theatrical rendition of Haroun & The Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie and I essayed Princess Baatcheat. A story I hope to tell is that of Beghum Akhtar. I have a deep love for Hindustani Classical Music that I am also training in. I have great admiration for women performing artists who unassumingly fought taboo and stigma. There is a sense of homage that I feel very profoundly towards all these women - female artists like Rukmini Devi Arundale, Sarojini Naidu, Nargis. However, there is something about the North Indian - UP - Lucknow - Faizabad culture that Beghum Akhtar’s life and legacy is steeped in that connects with my own roots.

Yet being nominated is just the beginning for Kaala, as it takes small steps towards a nomination at the Oscars, and the team hopes to create ripples for their film and change mindsets. Shot at the Haus Khas Village, Jude,

is chased and beated as he hobbles away in pain.

Produced by Nasira Khan, who has been a part of Jain’s previous film, executive producer, Manas Mittal, DOP Indranil Lahiri, Abhik Chatterjee (sound), the film hasjude Boman Tony, the protagonist, Rahul Tiweri, the antagonist and Kaatyayani Pandey as the lead actress.

With movements like Black Lives Matter gaining momentum, it is time to address racial bias aptly. Jain feels his film is relevant today when atrocities are across borders. “I hope we continue in our efforts to achieve equality, even if we can change a few mindsets, it’s still a victory. We must not wait for another George Floyd incident. It is gravely concerning to witness sickening mindsets. It’s time to speak up and continue on our path towards non-bias,” he adds.

From a business family, Jain chose films, and has also done an acting course from Barry John. The reality of discrimination and racial bias is ever present, and during his research an African diplomat asked him, “Didn’t drug peddling, prostitution, addiction exist in India already? Then why are only Africans branded as drug peddlers, prostitutes and addicts?” which made a deep impact on him.

As he hopes to garner enough publicity for Kaala, his next, a children’s film about two kids from an outcast family who live in the wilderness, and their daily struggles to reach school from their home in the mountains is underway.

With favourites like Sadgati, a true depiction of the caste system by the master of socially relevant films Satyajit Ray, and 12 Years of Slave directed by Steve Mcqueen, Jain’s Kaala treads thoughtfully to not just spread awareness but ignite a change in behaviour.