'Ravi goes to school', a 30-minute film, by Anu Menon revolves around six-year-old Ravi from a poor background, whose life is transformed when Pooja, a modern Mumbai girl, moves into the apartment block with her husband, Rohit, in the Southern city of India, Hyderabad.

Pooja takes Ravi under her wings, puts him in a school, and gives him a life he could not have dreamed of. But as troubles brew up in her life can she keep up the project called Ravi, she took up so enthusiastically.

In an interview with India-EU Film Initiative (www.iefilmi.com), Anu Menon shares her experience of making 'Ravi goes to School'."It was exhausting as well as exhilarating. Exhausting, because I was-the producer, writer, director, and runner- all in one. But in the end,when it all came miraculously together, it was the best feeling ever,"says Ms. Menon.

Anu Menon, pictured right, after a decade of strategic planning in the world of advertising, a large part spent in Singapore, decided to follow her heart and gave up a stable career to enter the world of filmmaking. She graduated from the London Film School in December 2006. Her earlier work includes four short films shot in the U.K and Ireland. 'Fock Helen and Harry',a 20-minute social comedy about friendships and relationships and how they keep coming in the way of each other, was shot in Dublin, Ireland.'T-Junction', a 13-minute comedy about modern day romantic politics, was filmed in London. So what was it like working in India with an Indian cast and a local production team?

"We had a rather mixed crew from London,Mumbai and Hyderabad, and it was very effective. Although, I'm used to low-budget film-making in London, where you can find a lot of people who are willing to work for free. That culture doesn't exist in India,but what I found was that for a rather reasonable cost I could get professional people on board. And I think that shows in the production value of the film. In the midst of all that chaos and Bollywood mania,there is a lot of talent and hunger to do good and different cinema in India," says the director of 'Ravi goes to school."

Anu Menon's film deals with class disparities, male dominance in marriages, self- deception, loneliness, and, importantly, it questions the concept of altruism. Does altruism really exist? We only help others when there is something in it for us, and when it is convenient. It is so easy to make a commitment but so difficult to sustain it.
Interestingly,Ravi is a real character. Six-year-old Ravi Kumar lives in Hyderabad with his parents and a little brother.

Ms. Menon fondly remembers Ravi, "he goes to school, and is the first person to do so in his family. He has no prior experience in facing the camera, but took to it like fish to water, dishing out a powerful performance with disarming charm and ease."

The film has been partly funded by the London Film School and the Singapore Film Commission. But that was not enough."I had to put in all my savings to make up for the balance. But I'm really proud of my film. Also, I'm really lucky to have worked with an excellent team- both cast and crew. The film, so far, has received very good response from both audiences and critics. I would like to show it to as many as people as possible, particularly in India," says Anu Menon.

Anu Menon lives with her husband Vivek Menon in central London.

Principal credits

Writer/ Director : Anu Menon
Cinematographer: Harald Beeker
Camera Operator: Maeve O'Connell
Line Producer: Rajeev Sharma
Editor: Aarif Sheikh

Cast

S. Ravi Kumar (Ravi)
Heeba Shah (Pooja
Ajay Gehi (Rohit)
Priti Nigam (Savitri)
Nagesh Karra (Shankar)

Production Information

Title : Ravi goes to School
Date of production: December 2006
Country of production: India © 2007 LFS
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Running time: 30 mins
Original language: English, Hindi, Telugu
Subtiles: English
Original shooting format: Super 16mm
Stock: Fuji
Screening format (PAL/NTSC): Digibeta, BetaSP, DV (CAM), DVD