Filmmaker MS Raju’s film 7 Days 6 Nights has a unique distinction — it is the first Indian film to be shot in Goa after the second wave of the pandemic. The director reveals that it was a herculean task to get permission from the authorities for the shooting.
“We went on a recce to Goa in June to spot good untapped locations. When we asked for permission to shoot, the authorities refused, saying the pandemic was far from over,” says Raju. But the plot of the movie has a Goan backdrop and he, therefore, persisted with his request for permission.
“I wanted to shoot scenes that show the monsoon in Goa, and the greenery that comes up after the rains. But Goa wasn’t opened for shooting during that time. I took a risk and went with multiple cameras and a team of around 100 members. After much persuasion, we eventually got permission to shoot,” he shares. The filmmaker says that ‘rain’ is his lucky charm.
“A couple of my earlier films are titled Varsham and Vaana. So, rain is my lucky mascot,” says Raju. He also shot the film in Udupi and Mangalore.
