You don’t need to go to New York for a film school: Filmmaker Pannaga Bharana

"It has been my father’s dream to run a film school in Bangalore,” reveals Pannaga Bharana, son of award-winning director TS Nagabharana.

“But with his schedule and professional commitments, it is not easy to start of something on the kind of scale he has in mind. However, when a couple of my friends and I got talking, we decided to give the business a shot. We decided to concentrate on a school for actors, one that not only teaches you dance and acting like the 30-odd other institutes in Bangalore, but professionally prepares you for everything you require before you begin your journey in there,” he explains.

Pannaga, a student of New York Film Academy, says, “I studied to be a director for two years. It was an intensive course that delves into every single aspect of filmmaking. My experience there taught me a lot and that is also what made me keen on providing a similar opportunity here, wherein a student is prepared for each detail that is involved in becoming an actor.”

So what’s exactly on offer? “We are looking at providing a two-month acting course for students. Classes will be held during weekends only and it goes up to around 112 hours of learning. Students will be put through acting workshops — for stage, followed by screen, fitness sessions, dance, grooming and styling, etiquette, photography session as well as act on a short film — which will work as a show reel as well,” explains the filmmaker.

The line-up of facilitators here are what Pannaga describes as one of the bigger strengths, and features photographer Mahen Simha and theatre personality PD Satish Chandra and stylist Veena Bhat as well as TS Nagabharana himself. 

While the school has begun, Pannaga is all set to begin work on his first film as a director. And it is none other than Kannada star Shivarajkumar who will be part of this first project. “It’s a film called Madhuve Impossible. This is Shivanna’s 25th year in the industry and I am 25 years old. I believe in the power of coincidences,” he smiles.

The filmmaker has, till date, been experimenting with short films and documentaries and says, “I would not say I am proud about everything I have made till now. I have made a lot of mistakes, but that again is the only way to learn. Now, will all that behind me, I am all set to embark on my journey as a director. I know there are a lot of expectations and to ensure I am on the right track, I am doing more than my bit of homework. All my scripts go through various levels of litmus tests — by friends, family and learned colleagues. Madhuve Impossible has been through it all. So I am quite confident about being on the right track.”