NEW DELHI: Filmmaker Arvind Iyer’s debut film ‘Drapchi’ revolving around the story of a traditional Tibetan Opera singer Yiga Gyalnang was screened in the Indian Mosaic section at the 12th Osian’s Cinefan Festival.
The story revolves around how Gyalnang who is abducted one summer morning finds herself in a state of complete isolation in an underground/secret prison cell and how she manages to escape after two years and runs away to the West. In the process, she takes along her spirituality, strength, and her Tibetan song.
The film starring Namgyal Lhamo, Lobsang Yonten, Gen Tenzin-la and Chris Constantinou is in English and Tibetan language and is scheduled for a 2012 release. The story has been written by Pooja Ladha Surti, who has films like Ek Hasina Thi and Johnny Gaddar to her credit.
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Speaking with Radioandmusic.com, Iyer justified making film on a story which had music as one of its most important components stating that he had grown up watching Bollywood films and so it was natural for him to use music.
Citing on why he chose Lhamo for the lead role, Iyer said, “I needed someone very evolved and intelligent to play the role of Yiga: an independent free spirit. Namgyal Lhamo is all of that, yet she is deeply rooted in her tradition and culture.” He also said that since he had worked with Namgyal Lhamo in an earlier film, it was comfortable to take her and since she is a good singer, he cast her in the role of a singer.
The story is set amidst the political debates that envelope modern Tibet, where systematic war is being waged in the present scenario over the traditional past and an uncertain future awaits all those who raise their voice in protest.
Iyer said, “In Namgyal’s voice and music, you can see, feel and hear Tibet. At the same time, because of being based in The Netherlands since a very long time, there is a western European chic and sophistication that is a perfect blend on screen.”
Speaking on her experience while doing the film, Lhamo said that she had worked with Iyer earlier in the field of music and was comfortable with him, but had learnt several things during the making of the film.
