Maatr is not made just for Indians, it is for global audience: Michael Pellico

Mumbai: The vendetta-driven plot of Raveena Tandon's comeback movie, 'Maatr', may be set in the heart of India, but its theme is relevant all over the world, says the writer of this intensely gripping drama, Michael Pellico.

Michael is essentially a producer who is known for his association with films like ‘Tim Timmerman’, ‘Hope of America’, ‘I See You’ (Short) and documentary ‘Queen Mimi’ but the plight of women in India and across the world promoted him to pen down this story that he is immensely passionate about and has complete faith in.

Deccan Chronicle sat down with Pellico to find out the inspiration behind this film, his vision as a writer and more. Excerpts:

You have been associated with the business aspect of cinema. What promoted you to pen down a story as intense as ‘Maatr’?

I felt that this story needed to be told with a certain intensity and passion. This film is a voice which I felt needed to be heard by everyone.

You are an American, how did your story make its way into Indian soil?

I was fortunate enough to meet Ashtar Sayed, who had the same passion as I did for this subject.

Tell us a little bit about the origin of this story. Did you draw inspiration from any real life incident?

It is a fictional story based on the all too common headlines around the world.

The trailer has seen mammoth success for its hard-hitting content. How do you think the Indian audience is going to react to this film?

This movie is not made just for the Indian audience but for global audience. I think their reaction would be similar as it is based on a serious issue around the world. The global audience will leave the theatre with a feeling of empowerment and a sense of justice.

How was it working with your Indian team? How is Bollywood different from its western counterpart?

The people I met here are so professional and so dedicated and believed in the story. It was great working them. Ashtar Sayed and Manoj Adhikari put together a great team and it was great pleasure working with them. I would say that the people in bollywood were professional and dedicated as they would be in Hollywood.

Trailer of the film has been viewed more than 5 million times on YouTube and is slated to release on April 21.