In a freak accident, a simple laundryman is transplanted with his beloved donkey's brains and, as a result, rises quickly to prominence and commands a large following. "As absurd as the premise sounds, it fits right in, given the current state of our country. The only way I could bring it to life was by breathing in some Indian sense of humour," says Mumbai-based filmmaker Vivek Budakoti. His first independent feature film, Pied Piper, has been screened at several international film festivals, its sharp socio-political content striking a chord with critics and the crowds.
"Almost seven decades after Independence, and we are still juggling our lives according to the great Indian democratic circus," says Budakoti, who has penned television serials such as Kahani Saath Pheron Ki, Babul Ki Duayen, Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka and, under his Magic Lantern Productions, made serials such as Ram Milaye Jodi. He has also assisted directors such as Sudhir Mishra and Aziz Mirza besides artist MF Husain on Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities.
The two-hour-long Pied Piper, which stars Rajpal Yadav, had its world premiere at Chicago South Asian Film Festival, and was screened at Fer Film Festival in Ferizaj, Kosovo, and Mumbai Film Festival this year.
Budakoti's film is an extension of the German satirical folklore, The Pied Piper of Hamlin. "I am drawn to titles that signify the crux of the story. When producer Rajita Sharma, who has written the film with Farid Khan and Budakoti, came up with the name, we agreed instantly as no other word could have defined the leaders and their mindless followers," says the director.
Budakoti's inspiration, and courage, come from an incident that took place at the time of Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray's death last year. "November 2012, Mumbai, was a time when political emotions in Mumbai had peaked so much that a simple Facebook comment put a girl in prison in no time. She became my source of inspiration," says Budakoti.
