Exclusive Interview With Ramira Taneja – The Director Of WILD FLOWERS...
Q1 :- What inspired you to create this short film?
Ramira Taneja :- I have watched numerous short films by various filmmakers, and I noticed that many tend to focus on complex characters, abstract storytelling, or intellectual themes. While these are valuable, I felt that there was a gap in family-friendly short films—something simple yet impactful, delivering a meaningful message in a relatable manner. Not everything in society revolves around negativity; there are many good and kind-hearted people, and I wanted to highlight that. The world is beautiful, and so are the people who make it so.
Q2 :- Can you tell us about the story and its central themes?
Ramira Taneja :- Wild Flowers revolves around a group of aimless youngsters who lack direction and guidance in life. When an elderly couple, Arjun and Geetha, move into their neighborhood, they are initially disturbed by the disruptive behavior of these youths. However, as they understand that these youngsters are orphans with good hearts but misguided actions, their perspective shifts. Through a series of events—particularly when one of the boys, Karan, inadvertently helps Geetha—the couple decides to mentor them. Their support transforms not just Karan’s life but also those of the other youngsters, demonstrating the profound impact of kindness and mentorship.
Q3 :- What message do you want the audience to take away from this film?
Ramira Taneja :- The core message of Wild Flowers is simple yet profound—never underestimate the power of small acts of kindness. Helping others, even in small ways, can create a ripple effect of goodness. People, by nature, are inherently good, and if given the right support and opportunities, they can channel their potential toward positive change.
Q4 :- Did the story evolve during filming?
Ramira Taneja :- The story was originally written by Anil Christie, but it naturally evolved during filming. We had to improvise on set based on location constraints, actor availability, and the flow of the narrative. The essence of the story remained the same, but adapting in real time added authenticity to the performances and storytelling.
Q5 :- Having assisted major directors and co-produced a feature film, why did you choose to make a short film at this stage of your career?
Ramira Taneja :- I understand the business of filmmaking very well, and I believe that storytelling should be adaptable across different mediums. With the rise of new platforms and evolving audience preferences, no medium is too big or too small. Short films allow us to deliver a powerful message in a concise format, and in this case, Wild Flowers conveys its message beautifully in just 6 minutes and 20 seconds.
Q6 :- What was the biggest challenge in making this short film?
Ramira Taneja :- The biggest challenge was time. I met Anil Christie while he was in India with Trehan and Babita, the other actors in the film. They were visiting from London for just two days to see distant family. What started as a casual discussion turned into a 24-hour filmmaking challenge. We had to conceptualize, shoot, and edit the film within a day before they left for London. With almost no budget, we relied on goodwill, real locations, and non-actors to bring this story to life. It was an intense but rewarding experience.
Q7 :- Where has your film been screened so far?
Ramira Taneja :- The film is brand new, and we recently decided to premiere it on Bobby Vats’ platform, KreativeKarma.in. The first screening will take place on February 14th, Valentine’s Day, as the film celebrates love and kindness beyond age, background, or circumstances.
Q8 :- What’s next for you as a Director ? Are you working on any new projects?
Ramira Taneja :- I’m currently developing multiple scripts across different genres, including thrillers, romance, and action. I look forward to sharing more details soon, and hopefully, my next project will be announced in the near future.
Q9 :- What advice would you give to aspiring short film filmmakers?
Ramira Taneja :- Stay true to your vision. Make films that resonate with you personally because authenticity reflects in your work. A filmmaker should be honest with both themselves and their craft. Also, utilize the resources available to you—constraints can often lead to creative breakthroughs. Don’t wait for the perfect opportunity; start with what you have and create something meaningful.
Exclusive Interview With Ramira Taneja – The Director Of WILD FLOWERS
