In a pioneering concept, Ethereal Productions, a YouTube venture of young film-maker, Benhur Silva, is set to release Rainbow – Goa’s first web series on September 22 at 6 pm.
BASIL SYLVESTER PINTO
Benhur, a 19-year-old engineering student is a passionate short film-maker who has been uploading thought-provoking short films written and directed by him since July 2017 on his YouTube which have been receiving rave reviews. To date, of his five short films made, four are on YouTube. These include One life (based on road safety), Hope (based on women safety), Chance (based on suicide) and Circle (based on hypocrisy). Another short film, Deranged which is based on marriage and dowry was made for an open short film competition themed on ‘Beti Bachao Beti Bachao’ held by State Family Welfare Bureau, Directorate of Health Services on January 24.
Rainbow will be a web series of three friends on a journey in their lives interspersing five episodes released over three Saturdays. While the first two episodes are set to release on September 22 on Benhur’s YouTube channel, the third will be on the social medium on September 29 while the fourth and fifth episodes would be out on October 6.
“I had this story idea in mind around a year back for a proper length film. But then I used to watch a lot of web series on YouTube. Realizing that the trend is picking up in the country, I also came to know no one in Goa had stepped into the medium in the State till date. I already had a team in place with a friend, Chirag Naik and my elder brother, Christ Silva having worked with me earlier. This inspired me to confide my concept to them for a web series this March and they were enthused to the idea. I then approached Nandan and Yash in whose short film I have acted earlier. They evinced keen interest in acting. The lead actress, Isha I always had her in mind as she was part of the short film competition I took part in earlier,” Benhur disclosed. Thereon, the upcoming writer-director began to mold his story for the suitability of a story across episodes. A film is watched as a whole, but with a web series, every episode has something for the audience. “Rainbow was made for a film of 40 minutes duration, but I had to change it accordingly for a 5-episode web series with each episode of a 12-minute length. I had to create a relevant story line to the main story with tracks connecting to it. Every character in the series has their own back story too,” Benhur revealed.
In June, the story and script was finalized and shooting began by the last week of the month. The shoot was completed within two weeks. Some shoots had to be re-shot as it required rain. Thereon things as dubbing and post production took its course.
Giving an insight on the web series, the writer- director Benhur says, “It is a story of three friends - Yash (Yash), Tanya (Isha) who are both in the second year of college, while Charlie (Benhur) is a year junior. Prof. John (John D’Silva) is the professor in their college teaching the second year students. One day, Yash and Charlie run into each other and become friends. While Yash is depressed with life, Charlie is a happy go lucky lad. After becoming friends, Charlie makes Yash realize the value of life and not to sulk. Charlie eventually transforms Yash from a depressed soul to a happy person. Meanwhile both the boys have a crush for the same girl, Tanya while all three become thick friends.”
John D’Silva, a well-known artiste brings in the comical element to the main story which will definitely bring a small on your face,” promises Benhur, incidentally his younger son.
The web series has two tracks, by the same name, ‘Hya Disani’, both written by Benhur. The first version that was released on YouTube on Sept 9 is a happy song, wherein Yash realizes he is changing for the better. In fact, the original song was from the Konkani feature film, Action which was also penned by Benhur. He recreated the chorus from the film while altering the lyrics in keeping to the requirements for the Web series. The other version is a sad song.
Through ‘Rainbow’, Benhur wants to appeal to the youth of today that they should not give up on life so easily. “What we see is not usually happening. There is a lot more than what meets the eye. Basically, it is a feel-good series to positivity which is much needed in our lives,” states the TY GEC, Farmagudi student.
A look on his YouTube channel, finds Benhur having received 3000 plus hits for his earlier short films, but with his new endeavour he expects it to touch 10,000 views at least. While he has no bigger plans for now, he would like to follow in his dad John’s and older brother, Christ’s footsteps as a full-length film-maker as well.
The web series stars Yash Kuvlekar, Benhur Silva, Isha Kakodker, Nandan Sambari and John D’Silva in the main cast. While the Sao Jose De Areal based Benhur has written the story, done the screenplay, penned the dialogues and done the direction, cinematography has been handled by Chirag Naik, editing by Christ Silva, assistant direction by Nandan Sambari and music by Sudhindra Shanbhag and Sairaj Ghadge.
