Krishand, director of the popular web series Utsaha Ithihasam that has received a nomination in the Seoul Webfest, is glad that acceptance for indie films is great on online platforms
In this age of internet revolution, web series are emerging slowly but strongly. Though secondary to TV series, Indian web series are on a revolutionary path, making waves on the cyber space. Utsaha Ithihasam from Malayalam, which is being aired in online video in demand website ZEE5 since February, that looms around the daily life of two Mallu boys too have joined the super hit club of web series.
The recent nomination to this year’s Seoul Webfest has left director Krishand on cloud nine. “We have spent almost one year for the preproduction of the series. The journey so far has been incredible. As an independent film maker, I am very happy to have nominated to the Webfest,” shares Krishand, who finds great acceptance for independent films on online platforms.
Ulsaha Ithihasam is very much an Indie film. It talks about not just two friends and their witty, struggling, and at times extremely funny life, but also about existential nihilism. The movie also features some of the traits that have been omitted in the mainstream films or soap operas – drug abuse, extra marital affairs and ‘trippy life’ of today’s youth.Krishand has felt that themes like nihilism and nothingness are not common to commoners and it may not work well with them.
But since the release of the web series, he is being flooded with positive reviews.
Now, he is very confident of the future of web series in India. “There is a revolution going on in the web. In India, we could see the effects too. Indian web series are critically acclaimed and accepted all over the world. It is just not about providing space for storytelling or movie making. It has also inspired many independent filmmakers to make a movie with a decent budget and minimum technology. If everything works out well, there are giant video sharing platforms awaiting you. The level of acceptance is changing and people have to get out of their usual zones and start watching more of these never-before-told stories,” he adds.
Krishand, who is working on new projects, says that independent films, guerrilla film making and web series are second to none and it’s time to accept them as mainstream.
