<p>A chef’s directorial debut and international acclaim is not congruent in thought but Michelin-star chef Vikas Khanna is winning awards for his movie ‘The Last Color’.<br />It is based on the Supreme Court verdict allowing the widows in Vrindavan, who were earlier restricted from playing Holi, to do so.</p>.<p>In a chat with <em>Metrolife</em>, the chef-turned-director spoke about his venture into the film industry and more.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>What made you take up film direction?</strong></p>.<p>I never planned to foray into films; it just happened. I had a short story in mind, titled ‘berang’ (colourless), which eventually turned into a full-fledged movie. For someone who has no idea about filmmaking, winning accolades like the Audience Awards and Directors’ Vision Award at Indisches Film Festival, Stuttgart in Germany was a pleasant surprise.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>What was your inspiration behind the subject of the film?</strong></p>.<p>I had visited Vrindavan in 2011, during Holi, to shoot pictures for my book, ‘Utsav: A Culinary Epic of Indian Festivals’. During that time I happened to see hundreds of widows — standing on the balcony and by the roadside — colourless, all in white, while everyone and everything was splashed in colour.</p>.<p>As I looked at them and smiled, my guide told me, ‘Don’t look at them, it could be an omen of bad luck’. I was taken aback. However, a 90-year-old widow smiled at me and blessed me. Despite being shamed by society, she was able to bless someone. That made a deep impression on me. In the movie, there is a woman who bows in the end as she dances, that’s inspired by her. </p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Any reason you started with a socially relevant topic?</strong></p>.<p>When a change happens, one needs to tell that story and celebrate it. The fact that people have fought for this change is an inspiration in itself. As a chef, my life has been filled with colours and here, the women had those taken away from them. That thought moved me and I just wanted to celebrate this change.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>How has the journey from celebrity chef to film director been?</strong></p>.<p>It is crazy. Initially, people asked me why am I even venturing into films since I have enough money and global recognition. People are generally scared of change. I did everything from costume design to screenplay for the movie. It was great to watch how the entire process unfolded; I also had to think from multiple points of view. It is amazing that my team and I pulled it off so smoothly.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Did you face any challenges?</strong></p>.<p>Many. Selecting a team, balancing the sensibilities of the US and Indian teams, time management and so on. The audition of Choti, the young tight-rope walker, was one of the most difficult tasks as the entire movie hinges on her.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Who did you turn to for advice?</strong></p>.<p>Anupam Kher was my go-to person. Every time I got stuck, he was there to guide me through. My mother too was there with me while shooting the film. </p>.<h2 class="CrossHead">‘The Last Color’ goes places...</h2>.<ul> <li>Only Indian film to get a special screening at the ‘Marche Du Film Section’ at Cannes this year</li> <li>Premiered at Annual Palm Spring International Film Festival</li> <li>Part of the opening night at the Atlanta India International Film Festival</li> <li>Showcased at the closing night of New York Indian Film Festival 2019</li> <li>Will soon be premiered at MAMI Mumbai Film Festival</li></ul>
<p>A chef’s directorial debut and international acclaim is not congruent in thought but Michelin-star chef Vikas Khanna is winning awards for his movie ‘The Last Color’.<br />It is based on the Supreme Court verdict allowing the widows in Vrindavan, who were earlier restricted from playing Holi, to do so.</p>.<p>In a chat with <em>Metrolife</em>, the chef-turned-director spoke about his venture into the film industry and more.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>What made you take up film direction?</strong></p>.<p>I never planned to foray into films; it just happened. I had a short story in mind, titled ‘berang’ (colourless), which eventually turned into a full-fledged movie. For someone who has no idea about filmmaking, winning accolades like the Audience Awards and Directors’ Vision Award at Indisches Film Festival, Stuttgart in Germany was a pleasant surprise.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>What was your inspiration behind the subject of the film?</strong></p>.<p>I had visited Vrindavan in 2011, during Holi, to shoot pictures for my book, ‘Utsav: A Culinary Epic of Indian Festivals’. During that time I happened to see hundreds of widows — standing on the balcony and by the roadside — colourless, all in white, while everyone and everything was splashed in colour.</p>.<p>As I looked at them and smiled, my guide told me, ‘Don’t look at them, it could be an omen of bad luck’. I was taken aback. However, a 90-year-old widow smiled at me and blessed me. Despite being shamed by society, she was able to bless someone. That made a deep impression on me. In the movie, there is a woman who bows in the end as she dances, that’s inspired by her. </p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Any reason you started with a socially relevant topic?</strong></p>.<p>When a change happens, one needs to tell that story and celebrate it. The fact that people have fought for this change is an inspiration in itself. As a chef, my life has been filled with colours and here, the women had those taken away from them. That thought moved me and I just wanted to celebrate this change.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>How has the journey from celebrity chef to film director been?</strong></p>.<p>It is crazy. Initially, people asked me why am I even venturing into films since I have enough money and global recognition. People are generally scared of change. I did everything from costume design to screenplay for the movie. It was great to watch how the entire process unfolded; I also had to think from multiple points of view. It is amazing that my team and I pulled it off so smoothly.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Did you face any challenges?</strong></p>.<p>Many. Selecting a team, balancing the sensibilities of the US and Indian teams, time management and so on. The audition of Choti, the young tight-rope walker, was one of the most difficult tasks as the entire movie hinges on her.</p>.<p class="Question"><strong>Who did you turn to for advice?</strong></p>.<p>Anupam Kher was my go-to person. Every time I got stuck, he was there to guide me through. My mother too was there with me while shooting the film. </p>.<h2 class="CrossHead">‘The Last Color’ goes places...</h2>.<ul> <li>Only Indian film to get a special screening at the ‘Marche Du Film Section’ at Cannes this year</li> <li>Premiered at Annual Palm Spring International Film Festival</li> <li>Part of the opening night at the Atlanta India International Film Festival</li> <li>Showcased at the closing night of New York Indian Film Festival 2019</li> <li>Will soon be premiered at MAMI Mumbai Film Festival</li></ul>
