Five years ago, when she got an opportunity to work for a Ram Gopal Varma film, it was an offer too good to resist.
But she could not inform her parents, who would have found it ‘too unacceptable not to resist.’ She cited a friend’s marriage as the reason for the visit to India.
She went on to make the film, and typical of Bollywood scenes, her “love affair” with the industry got the parental nod.
Today, Padma Akula enjoys the best of both worlds – stints in tinsel town and the love of her family.
It was a dream come true for Padma, who grew up watching Indian films.
“People talk about the world of cinema as being a kingdom of illusion but I wanted to see the reality behind the scenes and the only way I could achieve that was by being a part of that realm,” she said in an earlier interview (Indian Newslink, May 15, 2007).
If public relations, the get-up-and-go spirit and self-confidence are the ingredients of success in the film industry, then she has plenty of each.
Padma pursued a degree in Communication majoring in Media at the Manukau Institute of Technology. In 2005, she was the Assistant Director, Choreographer and Actor in Charandas Chor, the maiden venture of Prayas, the theatre group.
A person of Indian origin, she had no previous work experience in that country and hence the first day on the sets of Varma’s Leelai came as a cultural shock.
The male-dominated industry must have also been a bug – there was only one other woman in the film crew.
“It was crucial that I established myself as part of the team. I had to understand the working style, protocols and mental attitude,” she said.
She was later involved with Kannamoochi Enada under the direction of Priya V.
Her life-long ambition of working for Mani Ratnam fructified when the famous director selected her after a tough interview to work for Raavan due for release in New Zealand on June 18.
In the interim, the New York Film Academy accepted her. She was trained in screen writing from the best in the trade at Universal Studios in Hollywood.
Padma recently worked as a screenwriter and a script supervisor for Curry Munchers, a New Zealand film by Mahayana Films under the direction of Cristobal Araus Lobos.
“I have worked with great people and gained invaluable knowledge. I hope my journey continues to be as blessed as it has been so far,” Padma said.
Editor’s note: The picture of Padma Akula and the location shot (in which she is in Green overall) appearing in this article were taken by Bhavanesh Soni.
If you would like to be featured in this column, please contact Mr Soni on 021-1109931.
Email: bhavneshsoni@hotmail.com
