Interview : Director Dushyant Pratap Singh goes International with ‘Eradicated’!

With ‘#TheHundredBucks’ director #DushyantPratapSingh came into limelight as the film had a content driver story and he aesthetically captured the underbelly of Mumbai. His next Shatranj and Trahimam are ready and will be releasing on the same day i.e. 20th May, 2022. Dushyant Pratap Singh is known for completing projects in no time and now he’s going international as he prepares to shoot his Hollywood film abroad. Dushyant had a hearty talk with Mr Keerti Kadam and poured out his plans for his first International project, Eradicated.

Dushyant Pratap Singh knows his mind and doesn’t want to run behind successful names to star in his films. Of course he is not averse to that idea but he’s against dealing with the intermediaries. ‘I work with a clear vision and believes in having a dialogue with my actors. In today’s scenario there are many ‘in-between’ people who doesn’t let one to approach actors directly. That doesn’t fit into my scheme of things. Again what’s the point in chasing a star for six months and getting dates after a year? Today’s times are so unpredictable and who knows what’ll will be the scene one year hence? Again when I am working on a project I am totally engrossed in it and that triggers my temper and when these intermediaries around imagine the scene. In Hollywood there’s no problem in interacting with stars. Yes, there are official agents who do not interfere in your matter. So I approach good actors who can fit the bill.’

Dushyant’s dream project, a English film, Eradicated, will be entirely shot in Sri Lanka. Asked about the preference to an island country, Sri Lanka, he replied, “First of all it’s a beautiful country. My producer Mr Nilesh Patel is from Las Vegas and he’s keen to start the shoot of the film as soon as possible as his other projects are lined up in the US of A. I and the lead actress Monica Rathore are the only Indians in the crew. Rest of the actors will be locals comprising of British as well as Sinhalese actors. I have extensively travelled that country and almost the entire film industry out there I am familiar with. Being a beautiful destination a lot of International actors visit often and they could also be accommodated. I have good and close relations with Hon Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Mahindra Rajapaksa, and I feel lucky for that. He taught me to have honey with curd (Smiles). Again our currency is strong as compared to theirs and good ambience, untouched and unexposed location, clean and beautiful landscapes and availability of fine artistes are the reasons I have decided to shot in Sri Lanka.”

Eradicated is an emotional film about a girl who gets lost in the Island country and Monica Rathore who’ll be essaying the titular role is excited about her first Hollywood project. She has been busy in Punjabi films and did a project earlier with Dushyant Pratap Singh. So there’s a great rapport between the director and the heroine and it’ll help the final outcome. Eradicated is a trilingual films which will be in English, Hindi and Sinhalese. He plans to release this film on an OTT platform internationally, including India.

Given the present situation of Pandemic, it’s a bit easier to shoot abroad. ‘Of course we all know that now we have to live with this virus and taking precautions are necessary. In Sri Lanka too RTPCR is compulsory on arrival and after getting a negative report one can move out of the hotel mentioned in the immigration form. Double vaccination too is a prerequisite and booster is a bonus. But now overall the Covid scene is not that dangerous and one can shoot with keeping protocols in place.’ said Dushyant. He believes that by entering International film arena will help his vision to broaden as there are plenty of things he’ll be learning in the process.

Dushyant Pratap Singh is extremely busy and about one and half a dozen producers are in his loop. He’ll be completing Eradicated in Sri Lanka and then will move to Thailand for another project. After that he’ll be travelling to London for a new project and will move on to Australia for yet another project. So Dushyant Pratap Singh is definitely going places.