Ridley Scott, Anurag Kashyap join creative forces

Reputed British filmmaker Ridley Scott has collaborated with Indian filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, as well as Indo-Canadian auteur Richie Mehta for a “user-generated” documentary titled “India in a Day”, that will capture the essence of evolving India across 24 hours.

The film, to be directed by Mehta of “Siddharth” fame, is scheduled for release in 2016.

Google has teamed up with the filmmakers for this global film project, which is asking everyone across India to grab a camera and film their day on October 10.

Those whose footage makes it into the finished film will be credited as a “co-director” and will get a chance to feature in the first user-generated feature length documentary shot in a single day on life in India.

“The Martian” director Scott, who is executive producing the project with Kashyap, has called out to potential participants, saying: “’India in a Day’ offers a unique opportunity for anyone and everyone across India to grab a camera or a phone and get out there and capture something.

“It doesn’t matter how small or personal it is – from riding a bike to calling your mum. It just simply needs to bear witness to what life is like in today’s India – that’s magical enough.”

Mehta says the project is “personal” to him.

“I believe film is a perfect way to showcase what makes India so extraordinary. I hope people take this opportunity to be honest, fun and revealing. To dispel the myths of India – or confirm their truths. It will be a thrill to discover,” said the director, who has names like R.Balki, Shekhar Kapur and Zoya Akhtar as creative consultants on the project.

Kashyap, who has cemented his space in Indian cinema with projects like “Black Friday” and “Gangs Of Wasseypur”, has urged interested candidates to “tell us what you love, what you hate, what worries you, what you hope for, what you want to change”.

The overall idea of such a film is to to help showcase the story of evolving India, says Sandeep Menon, director – marketing, Google India.

“India stands at a unique moment in its history: a time of great change, sparked by technology. With the smartphone revolution transforming every aspect of our lives, from the mundane to the profound. We are very excited to partner on this project to help showcase the story of evolving India,” he added.

Inputs by IANS