Debutant Filmmaker Overcomes Rejections to Bring Heartwarming Mother-Son Story to Life

After years of uncertainty, debutant filmmaker Manasa U Sharma's film Chintu, Son of Vishalakshi has finally gone into production as of 2021. The idea for the film first took shape two years ago, and Manasa spent nearly a year completing the script, keeping veteran actors Prakash Belawadi and Lakshmi in mind for the lead roles.

Despite facing countless rejections over the years, Manasa has remained undeterred, directing the film with a sense of calm and confidence. She sees filmmaking as a "creative pursuit, not a battle," and credits the unwavering support of her below-the-line crew and technicians for keeping her motivated.

Manasa believes that when more women take on storytelling roles in the industry, it will lead to a greater balance in the portrayal of female characters. She says that while male filmmakers often depict strong women as behaving like men, women writers tend to approach characters with more empathy and humanity, whether they are male or female.

With Chintu, Son of Vishalakshi, Manasa aims to create a nostalgic, slice-of-life drama that will feel like a "warm hug" for audiences, evoking a sense of familiarity and relatability, much like the works of acclaimed directors Shankar Nag and Phani Ramachandra.