Aditya N
Aditya N
Roshan Fernandes, a first-time filmmaker from Mumbai, introduces his debut film, Ella, which he defines as a captivating blend of fable and fantasy. The movie features renowned actors Makarand Deshpande, Isha Talwar, and other talented individuals. Drawing inspiration from the classic fairy tale Cinderella, Ella revolves around the journey of an 8-year-old girl named Ella, portrayed by Saranya Sharma, hailing from Goa. As she stumbles upon an Indian star tortoise, Ella embarks on an adventure that takes her to Mangaluru while striving to protect her beloved pet.
The movie, featuring music composed by Ajaneesh Loknath of Kantara fame, is a project driven by the passion of a group of young individuals, each contributing their expertise in various departments. Although initially intended for a theatrical release, the prevailing trend of consuming content has led the team to believe that a direct-to-OTT release is the most favorable choice at this juncture. Ella is scheduled to premiere on MX Player on May 17th. Basil Alchalakkal, who directed Toby starring Raj B Shetty, has played a role as an associate director in this film. We commenced filming the movie in 2019 and had completed around 50-60% of it when the pandemic hit. Fortunately, we had already filmed most scenes with the young Ella, Saranya, so the delays caused by the lockdown and her growth spurt did not impact the film significantly. The remaining parts of the shooting featured Isha, who portrays the adult, Ella,” Roshan stated.
The Indian Star tortoise is a highly sought-after exotic animal due to its association with good luck in Feng Shui. Roshan’s movie is predominantly situated in Mulki in Mangaluru, where Goan girl Ella finds herself after becoming lost. The intention behind the film, according to the newcomer, was to create a production geared towards children. “I drew inspiration from Vishal Bharadwaj’s Makdee, Vikas Bahl and Nitesh Tiwari’s Chillar Party, and Mani Ratnam’s Anjali. I aimed for a mystery thriller within this genre, tailored specifically for a younger audience. As a novice filmmaker without any support, this was the ideal beginning,” Roshan explains.
