Hi,
   I am an Indian Filmmaker. I have worked a lot in Nigeria. I also shot a Yoruba films. It was really a great experience working in Nollywood. Presently I am planning to make a film involving Nigerian and Indian actors to be shot both in Nigeria, India and Thailand. I looking for a producer who will fund the film anyone interested? It will surely be a very good one. It will be a treat to watch.

Ramesh Raparthy
raparthyr@gmail.com

The first Indian film-maker to ever be part of a Nollywood Feature Production, Ramesh Babu Raparthy, talks about his adventures in Nollywood.

Being a successful filmmaker in any part of the world is a challenge. The co-ordination of a mammoth-sized manpower to give life to one single idea requires dedication and leadership qualities par excellence. This challenge only becomes more formidable, if one is alien to the culture and the language that he is filming in.
But for me shooting the Yoruba production ‘Aramotu’ for Treasure Chest Entertainment in Erinjiyan, a remote village of Nigeria’s Ekiti state, felt very much like being home. It has been a privilege for me to be part of a Nollywood feature film. I was pleasantly surprised to see the abundant creative talent in Nigeria. We had a fantastic cast and crew, especially the director, Mr. Nijiakanni, and the production manager, Bakky. They were all kind, pleasant people, who never once made me feel like an outsider. We worked, together, ate together, had our share of differences, but at the end of the day, managed to laugh together too. I have worked in other productions in Nigeria, but this specific experience was great.
I had no idea during the entire production that I was making history in any way. I just went about my work like I would, back home. It was only after we had shot the entire film and left the location to go back to our respective lives that the director Mr. Nijiakanni, who happens to be a very good friend of mine, told me that I had just been the first Indian Cinematographer to have ever been part of a Nollywood feature production. I was so surprised and delighted, and I’m not ashamed to say proud, very proud! The fact is, many film-makers come to Nigeria to shoot or direct documentaries, but nobody has ever attempted being part of a feature production before this.
When Mr. Niji akanni gave me the script to read it , I immediately told him that I would like to shoot this film. It was an interesting challenge to take up, and it would give me an opportunity to explore the beautiful country of Nigeria some more.
The script I read was in English but we shot the film in Yoruba.Well, you see, that’s the beauty of cinema. I’m sure you must’ve heard the quote ‘Cinema has only one language’. It generally pertains to cinema in the visual sense. But I lived that quote in the production stage as well. There’s no doubt that the most important thing on a set is communication, and here, despite the language barrier, it was perfect. The production manager did a fantastic job in organising the shoot. It was like we were all one orchestra, and he was the conductor, keeping us together.

‘I am part- Nigerian’:
To be part of a new country, apart from all the legal formalities, one has to love the country, really feel for and understand its culture and traditions, its people. I believe I am part-Nigerian now, because of all the time I have spent here and because Nigeria is now a part of me.
My favourite things about Nigeria, I eat a lot of Yoruba food like Pounded yam, Gari, Semovita, and my favourite of the lot, Amala. I picked up some Yoruba words and phrases during the latest shoot. The phrase ‘WELL DONE O’ was used on the set after almost every shot. It really encouraged me. And the word ‘PELE’ which means sorry was very commonly used. I love Mr. Tunde Kelani’s work. He has been a huge inspiration for me. Another thing I admire about Nollywood is that even when the entire world was shooting its films on celluloid, Nollywood was always shooting on Digital Media. It has taken the world a lot of time to catch up with Nollywood in this matter.

‘Nigeria and the World’:
Nollywood should encourage international technicians and filmmakers from all over the world to come to Nigeria and make more films. The world has a lot to learn from Nigeria, and Nigeria, from the world. It can be a beautiful symbiotic relationship.
Also, Nigerian distribution companies ought to explore the new avenues of Digital Cinema distribution like the UFO or Qube Cinema to increase their publicity and sales.
After spending these few years in Nigeria and travelling extensively through the country, I have discovered that Nigerians and Indians have very good relations, thanks to the permeation of Bollywood into the Nigerian media. I would love to make a film involving Nigerians and the Indian celebrities whom they adore, using both Nigeria and India as shooting locations. I love this colourful, noisy, vibrant culture, which is very akin to my own back in India, and I intend to be a part of it for some time now.

The first Indian film-maker to ever be part of a Nollywood Feature Production, Ramesh Babu Raparthy, talks about his adventures in Nollywood.

Being a successful filmmaker in any part of the world is a challenge. The co-ordination of a mammoth-sized manpower to give life to one single idea requires dedication and leadership qualities par excellence. This challenge only becomes more formidable, if one is alien to the culture and the language that he is filming in.
But for me shooting the Yoruba production ‘Aramotu’ for Treasure Chest Entertainment in Erinjiyan, a remote village of Nigeria’s Ekiti state, felt very much like being home. It has been a privilege for me to be part of a Nollywood feature film. I was pleasantly surprised to see the abundant creative talent in Nigeria. We had a fantastic cast and crew, especially the director, Mr. Nijiakanni, and the production manager, Bakky. They were all kind, pleasant people, who never once made me feel like an outsider. We worked, together, ate together, had our share of differences, but at the end of the day, managed to laugh together too. I have worked in other productions in Nigeria, but this specific experience was great.
I had no idea during the entire production that I was making history in any way. I just went about my work like I would, back home. It was only after we had shot the entire film and left the location to go back to our respective lives that the director Mr. Nijiakanni, who happens to be a very good friend of mine, told me that I had just been the first Indian Cinematographer to have ever been part of a Nollywood feature production. I was so surprised and delighted, and I’m not ashamed to say proud, very proud! The fact is, many film-makers come to Nigeria to shoot or direct documentaries, but nobody has ever attempted being part of a feature production before this.
When Mr. Niji akanni gave me the script to read it , I immediately told him that I would like to shoot this film. It was an interesting challenge to take up, and it would give me an opportunity to explore the beautiful country of Nigeria some more.
The script I read was in English but we shot the film in Yoruba.Well, you see, that’s the beauty of cinema. I’m sure you must’ve heard the quote ‘Cinema has only one language’. It generally pertains to cinema in the visual sense. But I lived that quote in the production stage as well. There’s no doubt that the most important thing on a set is communication, and here, despite the language barrier, it was perfect. The production manager did a fantastic job in organising the shoot. It was like we were all one orchestra, and he was the conductor, keeping us together.

‘I am part- Nigerian’:
To be part of a new country, apart from all the legal formalities, one has to love the country, really feel for and understand its culture and traditions, its people. I believe I am part-Nigerian now, because of all the time I have spent here and because Nigeria is now a part of me.
My favourite things about Nigeria, I eat a lot of Yoruba food like Pounded yam, Gari, Semovita, and my favourite of the lot, Amala. I picked up some Yoruba words and phrases during the latest shoot. The phrase ‘WELL DONE O’ was used on the set after almost every shot. It really encouraged me. And the word ‘PELE’ which means sorry was very commonly used. I love Mr. Tunde Kelani’s work. He has been a huge inspiration for me. Another thing I admire about Nollywood is that even when the entire world was shooting its films on celluloid, Nollywood was always shooting on Digital Media. It has taken the world a lot of time to catch up with Nollywood in this matter.

‘Nigeria and the World’:
Nollywood should encourage international technicians and filmmakers from all over the world to come to Nigeria and make more films. The world has a lot to learn from Nigeria, and Nigeria, from the world. It can be a beautiful symbiotic relationship.
Also, Nigerian distribution companies ought to explore the new avenues of Digital Cinema distribution like the UFO or Qube Cinema to increase their publicity and sales.
After spending these few years in Nigeria and travelling extensively through the country, I have discovered that Nigerians and Indians have very good relations, thanks to the permeation of Bollywood into the Nigerian media. I would love to make a film involving Nigerians and the Indian celebrities whom they adore, using both Nigeria and India as shooting locations. I love this colourful, noisy, vibrant culture, which is very akin to my own back in India, and I intend to be a part of it for some time now.

Seangurl want to read your story. I am back to Lagos.

I am not the kind of producers who will do that. We have have ethics. i am from Indian cinema industry. I went to india for a week will be back to Lagos by 23rd. My number is 08032493667. call me on 24th.

Hey i want to see and read the script, Or want to hear to the narration.

lemme gess thats suposd 2 make you d master of them all eh? post links to your stuff and let everyone know how good u r you r bizzy flaunting your bloody race. not ur fault tho im sure many dumb nigerians fall for anything in a caucasian complexion, even if its just a cheap immitation. tsk.


Why do you bring Racism into the picture? We are all filmmakers, Thats the only thing. Why dont you guys come to India and work?make films, Make videos etc, Its not the skin colour which make the difference. Its the talent. Common man be a sport think positive. Dnt waste time thinking on the negetive side. Do something. People keep talking,

Nollywood is already HD. You guys are shooting 1080i. But whats the use the filmmakers are compressing them to Dv to burn Dvds and sell. If you release the fillms on screen at silverbird or genesis then people can bring in Viper or Red to shoot 2k and 4k resolution cameras,

I am an indian cinematographer and director in lagos. Contact me raparthyr@gmail.com

Its not the foriegn cameras? What do u mean by foriegn camera? Nigeria doesnt make Camera's. What is needed here in Nollywood is Cinema laguage on screen laguage. Visual sense. Lighting. Painting with light. Worship light, Adore it, appreciate it and steal it when you can. You will have all the great visuals everyone is talking about hollywood and bollywood. Lighting and Framing the camera makes the difference guys. Even when you make a film with ur phone camera. I am an Indian filmmaker i like tunde kilani's work. He lights up well and there is quality. So its not the "Foriegn Cameras " which makes the difference

Yes planning to make one. Low budget high quality cinema. Quality as in great content, screenlanguage etc,

I am a director and Cinematographer from India in Nigeria.

I am an Indian film maker currently in Nigeria since few years. What i noticed is there is rich culture and history in Nigeria to make films. But i always get disappointed when i see Africa magic and low quality films. Low quality here means lacking the Film language the style of film making. People talk about nigeria doesnt have latest cameras that hollywood or bollywood has. Its not the tech which makes the difference its the content and style which makes the difference. If the filmmaker has the right script and shot plan perfectly with great background score and visuals you can make fantastic films in Nigeria. Quentin Tarantino made his first film on a handy cam and was sucessfull. We can create wonder with handy cams.

Now when it comes to technology. I tell you nigeria is in the right platform since the beginning, Digital. Rest of the world is coming back to Digital cinema. Nollywood has a lot of experience in shooting digital then rest of the woods. I really feel digital Cinema theatres should come into this country to watch the films on big screen. Watching films on big screen makes the difference. THE DARK ROOM MAGIC.

There are so many companies who are making digital cinema servers, projectors to promote Independent filmmakers. One can watermark the film so that no one can shoot the film in the theatre and do piracy.

If Nollywood filmmakers use depth of field, Line of action, Editing pace and BG score properly in the films you guys can make a difference. I am planning to make a film here in Nigeria with high standards again low budget.

Cheers.

Nigeria is really a great place. When a person comes to nigeria may be from India, Canada or Usa for the first time, There is a connection which happens here. That has to do with9 ja people,the pidgeon english and food etc, You cannot find these else where. People ask me how'z Lagos i tell them Lagos is Lagos no words to describe it thats the speciality. As i travelled most of Nigeria to explore the place i fell in love with the northern side of Nigeria. Hey but only after Lagos. People are so cool and friendly, Very peaceful environment and very religious. NIgeria is a place where u give respect and you get respect in return.

Thank you guys.

Hello all,
            I love this Nairaland website. There are great people here. I am new to this. Just want to say Hi to all