Uplifting and heartwarming. Modhurima Sinha’s 27-minute docudrama The Colour Yellow which will be screened in the Shorts D (Docs) category at the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF), is a celebration of the indomitable human spirit. The film champions the survivors of trafficking, a bunch of brave women, much stigmatised, who have now battled their inhibitions, ready to take up the cudgels for their tribe, rising in unison to fight the perpetrators of this heinous crime.
The Colour Yellow is centred around Utthan, a project by Sanjog, a ‘systems-thinking, global civil society organisation, and social impact organisation’ on Hazra Road. The leadership training programme comprises 15 women, all survivors who are leading the charge. “Uma Chatterjee (executive director and founding member) from Sanjog approached me via Anurag Hira, a common friend, after watching my first short The Third Eye, also on women empowerment. She wanted the story of Utthan to be told on screen. We had a few meetings and weren’t sure whether we should make it in the fiction or non-fiction format. It’s a story of hope,” she says.
The research process entailed interacting with the Utthan women and “hearing their stories first-hand”. “I also read case studies and spoke with Sanjog at length to understand the threats and the challenges. We started shooting in silhouette first, later the girls wanted to show their faces. They said they had nothing to hide and it was never their fault. Utthan as a group are game-changers who can inspire others,” says Modhurima.
The film stars Sauraseni Maitra who shines in her portrayal of the trauma that these women have had to endure. Emoting primarily through her eyes, Sauraseni’s sparkling performance adds depth to the narrative. “I felt the need to have a professional actor to enact the trauma the girls had gone through. I met Sauraseni at an exhibition and knew it had to be her. I’ve seen her work in various films including Umrika. She and I just clicked and I’m so glad it worked out. She spent a full day workshopping with Utthan, and has done a fabulous job. She takes her work seriously,” says Modhurima.
The film will be showcased at the New York Indian Film Festival on June 2 at Village East by Angelika and has been nominated for the Best Short award as well. “The NYIFF inclusion is fabulous for Sanjog, Utthan and our small team of cast and crew, because the story is going places. I’m so grateful to NYIFF for the selection in the competition. It’s a fabulous platform with a great audience. I have attended the festival earlier and I know the vibe. I would like to thank Editfx, my DoPs and my amazing young editor Swarnabha Chakraborty and everyone who helped in the process. Any film is teamwork,” she says.
Besides meeting other filmmakers, friends, audience and watching cinema while at NYIFF, walks in Manhattan are also on the cards. “For miles,” says Modhurima. Perhaps musing on her takeaway from The Colour Yellow, in one of her favourite cities in the world.
“Working with these girls has taught me to appreciate what I have and they have also made me an activist. I would like to continue working in this space, helping women get a grip on their lives... it’s so critical,” she signs off.