New fiction web series set against the backdrop of scenic Coorg, about exploration of music by its protagonist, Nimrat, hopes to raise the standard of Web entertainment and content in India
A new web series, Nimrat produced by Bangalore-based film school and production house, Flash Frame Visuals Academy of Film & Television (FFVA) has stepped out of drawing rooms and coffee shops for its shoot and is set in the scenic backdrop of Coorg for the first season, followed by the next season scheduled to be shot in Nepal. This fiction series about exploration of music by its protagonist, Nimrat, hopes to raise the standard of Web entertainment and content in India. Producer and creative head Aditi Soni and Keerti Kumar tell us more about the leap of faith.
Q. Why a travel series for the Internet audience?
A. The Internet audience is chiefly in the age group of 18 to 40. If we read them closely, there is this new urge to travel among this generation. They want to explore places, explore themselves. So much so, that I know of people who have sold their houses to travel the world. So where everyone is reading and writing about travel, am sure they would love to watch it too.
Q. Why pick Coorg?
A. Firstly, it is a visually stunning place. Secondly we have seen enough of north being explored. When it comes to the south, all know of Chennai or Kerala but Coorg remains a fairly unexplored destination except in a few movies such as Raavan or Saat Khoon Maaf. Then, of course, it suited the script too. The second season will cover Kathmandu and the Himalayas. The main reason being that the script deserves those locations.
Q. How was the experience of shooting in Coorg?
A. It is the most stress-free shoot location. People there are more than just warm. They go out of the way to help you with the resources, locations to shoot and such. They are not very camera-shy, are of the happy-smiley face-kinds, and are ever ready to face the camera; in case you’re keen to get them to act too. The weather too allows you to shoot for long hours.
Q. Why a subject like Nimrat?
A. The visual content is slowly getting repetitive. It’s the same formula, which is being fed to the audience time and again. Now times are changing and so is the audience. They love to travel, they love journeys, they love explorations, they love strong independent characters…they love it all because they can relate themselves to all of it. And that’s exactly what Nimrat is all about. She travels to different parts of the country to collect Folk music as a passion. This is when her life entangles with the people in each locale that the stories begin to unfold.
Q. Where is it coming out?
A. It’s yet to be finalised. We are in talks with a few Mumbai-based production houses but would not want to give out a name before it is final.
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Four things to do in Coorg
1. Abbey Falls: This beautiful cascade of water lies deep in the forests of the Western Ghats. It is located 10 km away from Madikeri (the capital town of Coorg/Kodagu district). The misty, lush environs is must-see for every visitor.
2. Raja’s Seat: This seasonal garden on a hillock offers picturesque view of the sunset. There is also a pillared structure amid the exquisite garden, presenting sublime architectural beauty.
3. Estate trails: Coorg is known for its sprawling estates, especially coffee, with a few tea plantations as well. These handpicked trails of sprawling estates make for a popular tourist activity.
4. Elephant Camp: The Dubare Elephant Camp is located in Coorg, near the Cauvery River; here one can live and engage with rescued pachyderms, and tour the jungles of the area, riding on them.
Log on to: www.coorg.com
To reach Coorg (Kodagu)
Flight: Take a flight from Mumbai for Bengaluru, which takes 2 hours. After a stoppage of about an hour, take another flight from Bengaluru to Mysore that takes 45 minutes. Coorg is located at a distance of 128 km from Mysore that can be covered by buses and cabs.
Train: There is only one direct train from Mumbai to Mysore, Dadar-Mysuru Sharavati Express, which takes around 24 hours.
Road: Buses ply from Bengaluru and Mysuru to Madikeri. The route takes between 7-9 hours, depending on the time of the year and road condition.
Coorg
From Mumbai 1033.1 km
Overview: Coorg (Kodagu, also known as Kodava Nadu), is an administrative district in Karnataka. The district is famous for its coffee, plantations and its scenic locations.
Don’t miss: Some of the most popular tourist attractions in Kodagu include Talakaveri, Bhagamandala, Nisargadhama, Abbey Falls, Dubare, Nagarahole National Park, Iruppu Falls, and Kushalnagar (a Tibetan settlement)
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source: http://www.mid-day.com / mid-day / Home> Life and Style News> Travel News / by Dipanjan Sinha / June 05th, 2016
