lms on miniscule budgets, which they shoot and star in, and screen for the local audience in Malegaon. Her own docu captures their journey of making their most ambitious film Malegaon Ka Superman.
"When I read about these people, who have been making films for no other reason than purely for the love of films and also with limited resources, I was very fascinated. I mean here we wait for financers, study filmmaking, and all that, but here are these people making films with whatever is available. I found their jugadu style of filmmaking rather unique and inspiring," she explains. As for the challenges in filming a live docu, Faiza reveals that the real challenge was to not forget that they were only meant to be observers. And contrary to what many felt about parts of it being scripted, Faiza clarifies that nothing about the film was scripted including the argument regarding the women not allowed to come in front of the camera. "In fact, it's actually months of live coverage edited to fit the time," she adds.
Encouraged with her own 'observational approach kind of filmmaking' getting much critical acclaim, the director is already working on her next documentary, this one based on housing struggle and the slum movement around Golibar area in the city. "I am in a very happy space, doing the kind of films that I am making. I have been hugely inspired by Iranian films that depict reality so well on screen. So, for now I prefer making these kind of films over Bollywood flicks. But I really feel that today these films are being welcomed in Bollywood just the way they are and getting acceptance too," shares Faiza.
But having shot her first film in Malegaon, where women are not allowed to step beyond their houses and now being part of the process like sitting on dharnas with the slum dwellers, has being a woman ever been a hindrance? "Never. Nothing takes a backseat just because I am a woman," she says. And is she in touch with the filmmakers and actors in Malegaon? "Yes, of course. Unfortunately, the lead hero died of cancer, but after making Malegaon ka Superman, the director is now making Malegaon ka James Bond!" reveals Faiza.