Watch: Rohit And Sasi’s Honest Take On Indie Cinema

Talented filmmakers Rohit and Sasi sat with Gulte Pro’s Ram Venkat Srikar after their short film Illu premiered on ETV Win. The conversation went far beyond the film and turned into an honest discussion on cinema, creativity and the struggles behind independent filmmaking.

Rohit described Illu as a warm and peaceful experience rather than a conventional film. Instead of dramatic twists, the story follows ordinary moments and silent emotions. He admitted that some viewers initially found its slow pace unusual, but believed the film was meant to be felt rather than simply watched.

The directors revealed that Illu was made as a tribute to Balu Mahendra and inspired by simple storytelling rooted in everyday life. The house itself became an emotional character during the shoot, while silence and minimal conversations were used to express feelings that words could not.

Talking about the making process, the duo said the film was shot in just eight days with a tightly written script. Every scene and every phone call had a purpose. They consciously stayed away from unnecessary drama and focused on authenticity, making the film feel intimate and personal.

One of the biggest surprises for the team was the audience response. Despite limited promotions, Illu managed to find genuine appreciation through word of mouth. Rohit said the film restored his belief that good content can still reach people without depending entirely on aggressive marketing.

The conversation also shifted towards the harsh realities of independent cinema. The filmmakers spoke openly about financial struggles, distribution hurdles and the obsession with views and numbers. They felt that meaningful cinema often gets ignored despite the passion behind it.

On artificial intelligence, Rohit acknowledged that AI can assist with writing and editing, but insisted it can never replace human emotions. According to him, technology may speed up the process, but the soul of storytelling will always belong to people who have lived those experiences.

Ending the interaction on a hopeful note, Rohit and Sasi revealed they are already working on two feature film ideas. They remain committed to telling simple, heartfelt stories, believing there is still an audience waiting for honest cinema that values emotions over spectacle.