Date:13/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/13/stories/2008101359020700.htm

Tamil Nadu

Applause for acceptance

Staff Reporter

Joshi is now working on ‘Cycle,’ a Hindi film about a child obsessed with cycles

CHENNAI: As little Shree slipped his hand into his mother’s, the audience burst into applause.

The journey of a boy in coming to terms with his mother’s schizophrenic condition was traced in the short film ‘Sweekar’ (acceptance), directed by Pune-based filmmaker Mangesh Joshi.

This film won the first prize in the short film competition organised as part of ‘Frame of Mind,’ a film festival on mental health, organised by Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF).

“I am a storyteller,” Mr. Joshi said, refusing the label of a documentary filmmaker or a commercial director. A chemical engineer, Mr. Joshi did a short stint at a biotechnology firm before becoming an assistant director for a Marathi serial.

He now freelances for various organisations in making documentaries and short films.

“‘Sweekar’ cost me Rs. 2,000,” he said.

All his films are self-financed. Currently, he is working on ‘Cycle,’ a Hindi film about a child obsessed with cycles.