Sophia Paul is a female producer who entered the production field with Anwar Rasheed through the film Bangalore Days. Sophia Paul and weekend blockbusters are standing as a big tree behind the global reception of Minnal Murali’s 2021 release. Sophia Paul opens up to Reporter Live about entering Malayalam cinema as a female producer, Minnal Murali’s success and women coming to the backstage of cinema.
From Bangalore Days to production to global success by Minnal Murali. What preparations did it take to become a female producer?
I was confident in my work experience. I have the positivity to go ahead with whatever I do. I also have the attitude to win it. And maybe because of God’s blessing, everything is going well.
With Minnal Murali we got a global recognition and with that our banner reached everyone. It’s not like it used to be. Today everyone is watching the technical side of the film. I enjoy this job very much. I feel very happy too. We can handle all this if we think. There was a time when only men could do this. But it is not so. We just need to realize that we can do this just as well as men. I think this myself sometimes.
It was during this period that women producers came to the cinema. Wasn’t this work done by men in the past? I thought it was only for men. But all this is just. I think more women than men can handle the manufacturing sector better. I don’t just do work. I am doing a lot of things including housework. When you go down to it, you will understand that construction is not such a big job.
The reason for undertaking the production of the film?
His partner and brother were working on the production side. At that time I have in my mind that I want to make a movie. Later on, Anwar talks to Rasheed and talks about doing a film. I now feel very fortunate to have taken the first step forward with Bangalore Days. It is the first project that influences us to take the next step. Also I am not interested in doing all the shots together which takes time in terms of shooting films. All projects should be done carefully. A good film should be given to the audience. That’s what I think. Currently I have movies. But after doing one, go to the other. Not only I but also my family is giving full support in that. They would read the script and everyone would sit down and discuss it. So everything is handled in a professional manner. It’s so much fun to carry around like that.
Being a female producer brought change to the weekend blockbuster?
The change is that I am handling this as a professional job. Because the process starts from the office itself. Be it script reading or other production stages. Not normally. Construction is another way of working. I also learned many things and even learned about the camera used in film. When I first became a producer, I knew nothing about cinema.
Creative people feel that producers cannot do anything creative. But not like that, we producers will be involved in the creative field as well. We are also movie lovers. The important thing is to give a good movie to the audience. We also see through the eyes of a common viewer. When we listen to the story of the movie, we think so too. Learned so many things.
I am with this. Barring any necessity, there is not even a single day without reaching the shooting set. You can meet me when you come to the location. I want the result to be good. I even work with a team that I am comfortable with. Because some people can’t accept that we are involved in everything. So before starting let me tell you about our working culture. That’s how a project starts. So we don’t give any trouble to anyone. Above all, this is a business, so you have to look at the safe side and the risk.
Growing from Bangalore Days to Manufacturer..?
I was not involved much in that film. Because Anwar was also a partner in the film, I came from Dubai only intermittently. I learned production when I was doing a solo film called When the Vines Sprout. That’s how it learns that the little mistakes I make from it will be corrected in the next film. Later I learned everything with Minnal Murli. It took two years.
Do you feel regret for not being able to release Minnil Murali in theaters?
At that time theaters were at 50% capacity. After the theatrical release, it was signed with Netflix for OTT. But I’m doing business with Netflix because I can’t take the risk when the covid problems don’t end. But later I didn’t feel bad that the movie didn’t hit the theaters, because the movie became known globally only after it came out in OTT.
I recently went to a Netflix event. All those who came there have seen my film. There Minnal Murali is shown on the screen first. Everyone has seen Minnel Murali. Karan Johar talks about Minnal Murali and says he likes it. I was saying that I am his fan. Minnal Murali gave me such unforgettable moments. The film got such a reach because it was actually released on Netflix. If it had been released in theaters, maybe it wouldn’t have been like this.
Proudest moment as a female producer?
It is definitely the success of Minnal Murali. Not only from Kerala, many people from outside the film industry called and congratulated. Huma Qureshi messaged me on Instagram. People love Minnal Murali so much. I don’t know what it is. It can be said that the movie has really changed from hand to hand. I am proud to say that people love that movie so much.
Minnal is the stepping stone to the movies there. Because now the action scenes of the new movie are being prepared by Vikram who has done stunts for the movie. The reason they came was because of the producer’s film done by Minnal Murali. People who work with me also say that it is a matter of pride to say that they work on weekends. We must move forward without losing that name. That name should not be lost. That is a big task. Take care of it and do the next.
An inspired woman
I have three brothers. I grew up with them. That’s why my father always used to say that I have a man’s body. And my partner is a very supportive person. Because he said that I should be the producer myself. There are three men in the house including children. That’s why the men around me made me bold. Women are stronger than men. We feel it when we are done with something.
Shouldn’t there be more women in the film industry?
Women directors should enter the cinema more. Now there are girls working behind the camera. The assistant director I work with now is a girl, Kezia. That boy is very smart. That way if girls come I can support them as a producer. You should get opportunities as well. Because cinema is still a male-dominated field. But only here. So, if you go to North, you will understand many women working behind the scenes of movies. There are also here but less in the technical team. But don’t be like that. More people should come.
Opportunities should be available. What I can do from my side is to ask for a woman as AD in my project. There should be opportunities here to come up. I haven’t had women come up to me yet and say let’s do this film. If it comes, it can be done. More men are calling about the movie.
Are women getting the respect they deserve on film sets today?
The young people working with her are supporting that girl as an assistant director in the film she is currently working on. They treat a woman very well. I noticed it on the set. They don’t try to put the child down or do anything, but instead give good support. It’s a joy to watch. Today’s boys can do it.
What would you say to those who love cinema and want to get into it?
You dream big. I tell my team the same thing. Only if you dream big you can achieve something in life. I think so too. There is nothing we cannot do. Then do the hard work. Opportunities don’t always come. Make good use of it when it comes.
Story Highlights: Celebrity talk with Producer Sophia Paul