A behind-the-scenes peek into Ek Aadmi ka Nyota

The cast of the short film Ek Aadmi ka Nyota comprised locals from the village of Kabulpur who had no prior experience in acting and were trained by Amit and his crew after their school hours for a month before production began. The child in the picture, Teenu, plays the role of the protagonist in the film, Monu. The film traces his journey from being a shy and reticent kid to developing confidence after an invitation to a wedding party.

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In the time that Amit and his crew spent training the locals for the camera, and familiarising themselves with the location, the villagers had gotten comfortable in their presence and had become friendly with the crew. You can see Amit (in the frame) interacting with the women who were locals of the village and acted in the movie.

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The woman, pictured in the centre, is the wife of a college junior of Amit who belonged to the village. She was cast to play the role of Monu’s mother. Casting village locals, despite their lack of acting experience, added a layer of realism to the film with their mannerisms and way of speaking of the villagers being portrayed onscreen. The women seated next to her are also locals who took time out of their day to act in the film.

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Once production began, the people of the village celebrated the 10-day event as though it was a festival. The cinematographer of the film Lokesh, pictured here, is surrounded by locals who came to watch the film being shot since it was something they had never witnessed before.

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The village locals would take time out from their day to watch the production in progress. Here Amit is seen talking into the mic as kids from the village are watching from behind. The locals, though curious, were very cooperative with the crew and made sure to follow the instructions given by them. They stood where they were told to and knew when they were allowed to speak and when not to.

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When the crew first went to the village and proposed their plans, the locals generously provided them with one of the empty houses for as long as they needed. This is where the crew set up all their equipment and operated from during the entire production process. Here a member of the production crew is seen working on the sound as scenes are being shot elsewhere.

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During the filming period, all members of the cast gave it their all. The kids having been trained for a month prior had grown accustomed to being in front of a camera and acting naturally. Here they can be seen holding up the clapboard that reads the name of the film.

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Alongside the talent and skill of the crew as well as the direction of Amit, the short film Ek Aadmi ka Nyota would not have been possible without the locals who supported them every step of the way. From acting, giving them a place to stay in, the villagers did it all out of love and admiration for the crew.

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