Nachom-ia Kumpasar has brought Goans together: Bardroy

Herald Café: Nachom-ia Kumpasar is essentially the real life struggle between two stage artistes par excellence. In another sense, it is also the reel life struggle of Bardroy Barreto. At one time, you struggled to find financiers to believe in your film. Now, you are struggling to fulfil the huge demand and interest from packed audiences. Was there a misreading of the potential of your film?

Bardroy Barreto: Yes. Firstly, finding a financier was a struggle as everyone thought that a Konkani film was not viable and more so, Konkani films were not up to the mark. There wasn’t much seriousness in working on a Konkani film, so no one came forward to help. As a result, we went with family and friends and pushed the film to all the boundaries.

In the making of ‘Nachom-ia Kumpasar’, we never compromised during our struggle. It was never a half-hearted effort and we put all our efforts to bring out something that we were satisfied with. In terms of the demand, the film has exceeded our expectations. 

HC: You have pioneered a new concept of screening ‘Nachom-ia Kumpasar’ not in theatres, but in art and cultural centres, to great success. So much so that other films are also being screened in art and cultural centres. Was this decision of yours by choice or compulsion?

BB: A lot of people ask me to release it commercially. We do not have the manpower or budget for the advertising and publicity, and we won’t have the freedom to price the film. Any multiplex would have given the screen and time slot of their choice. This is not what I would have wanted, after having seen the film releases of my friends.

Seven years ago, we had done calculations of people in parishes and villages, and we knew we had to go to them. But that time, it was a Rs 1.25 crore project and by the time the film got ready for release seven years later, we were close to a Rs 4 plus crore budget.

I didn’t want a commercial release and everyone stuck to my madness; I didn’t think it would pan out like this, but I thought let’s give it a try. Dolby came to help us to exhibit it and then, friends who we did not know came forward to take this to the next level. The positive vibe gave me the encouragement to be happy and content today.  

HC: ‘Nachom-ia Kumpsar’ has been screened around the globe, with the expat community taking the initiative to do the ground work for the screening of the film. In a way, has this united the Goan expat community?

BB: This is one of the plus points. People have gone beyond their boundaries and have got to meet their own people, especially during overseas screenings, and so, I am happy that this film has been bringing Goans together.

HC: While there has been a resurgence of Konkani films in recent times, your film has been a rare experiment in the depiction of Goan musicians and their struggle for recognition, with a focus on two of its greatest stars. Has ‘Nachom-ia Kumpasar’ brought Goan music and its musicians back into the limelight?

BB: I think there were two responsibilities when we were doing this Konkani film, I was firm that I wanted a truly Goan Konkani film with no influence from any cinema, local or global. I wanted to depict a Goan story in an honest way. During the process of the making the film, we came to know about other Goan musicians. What started primarily as a Chris Perry and Lorna story led me to research about other musicians like Anthony Gonsalves, Seby D'Souza, Chick Chocolate, Mohammad Rafiq, etc. Basically, I was curious to know their contribution to music and it became my responsibility to give them their due.

HC: Have you planned any sequel to ‘Nachom-ia Kumpasar’? Or do you have a completely different theme to work upon?

BB: We need to document life from 1975 to 1985 or the pre-1960s era. It allows me to document a way of life that has gone by or might go by in the future. Such a movie will be a legacy for the future generation. 

Nachom-ia Kumpasar in the Hall of Fame

Year Place Award Category   

2015 India 62nd National Film Awards Best Konkani film, Best Production Design, Special Jury Award for female actor Palomi Ghosh.   

2015 London London Indian Film Festival (Lebra Play Award Audience choice Award) Best film   

2015 Brasov Brasov International Film Festival Best Film in the out of competition category and also opened the festival. 

Brasov International Film Festival Exhibits only non-violence film   

2015 California Global Music Award united States - Best Music award

Best original score and best music in a feature, Silver   

2015 Milan, Italy Milan International Film makers festival Best director for foreign film , best original score, best sound design.   

2016 Tiburon, USA Golden Reel Awards Best Musical  

Nachom-ia Kumpasar in the Official Selection:

* Melbourne Indian Film Festival

* Mexico Cinefest

* Chicago South Asian Film Festival

* Seattle South Asian Film Festival

* Mumbai Audio & Moving Images Festival ( MAMI) 

* All Lights International Film Festival, Kochi 

* International Film Festival of India( IFFI)

* Bahamas International Film Festival

* Honolulu South Asian Film Festival 

* Victoria Film Festival Canada

* Rapid Lion - South African International Film Festival