Most children want to go out and play after finishing their homework. However, Gouri is not among that group. When she gets time, she packs her camera and microphones, jumps and starts working with her father, instead. Gouri, an eighth standard girl, is walking towards her dream of becoming a film director. Aged 13, Gouri was featured in many documentaries and short films and she assisted her father and director-cum-cinematographer V.K. Subhash in many of them. She has taken a big leap towards her dream by winning the Kerala Media Academy award for her musical video which she directed for state government’s Haritha Keralam project.
It all started when a three-year old Gouri began to show interest in using her father’s camera. Seeing his daughter’s enthusiasm, Subhash decided to take her with him whenever he is going for shooting. When Subhash turned his attention to directing short films, Gouri followed that too and wanted to become his assistant. “After foraying into filmmaking with her father, she was bitten by director’s bug. She had shown serious interest in it and started giving her own views on where to place the camera and when to shoot,” says Subhash.
The award winning musical video Harithakerala Geetham’s music is done by K.J. Yesudas and sung by the legend himself. Subhash says filmmaking has become a family business since his daughter joining him and his wife as the associate director for most of his videos. “As we already have a chemistry, the work is a lot easier. My wife Sunena has great ideas and she helps me with art works for my films.”
Gouri is a student of Elamakkara Government H.S.S. and has been receiving great support from her friends and teachers. Though she is only 13, she started to dream big when the award jury was all praise during award felicitation program. Subhash, who has won more than 40 awards, says Gouri is assisting him in his new feature which is expected to start rolling in September. Gouri is also interested in photography. At a time when most children are happy just going to school and playing with simple toys, Gouri wants to do something different and her parents are all support to help her realise their daughter’s dream and work with her.
