Filmmaker Deepak Deon on his debut movie ‘Private’ and struggles he encountered to release it

When Private released in theatres last October, it was the culmination of a long wait for director Deepak Deon. The struggles of a debut director notwithstanding, he also had to overcome several hurdles placed by the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The challenges were far from over even after the release since the movie had a silent outing at the box office. However, the reception for the film once it released on OTT came as a relief. More good news came recently when the film was selected for the Moscow International Film Festival.

Deepak says that he is grateful that the film got selected for the prestigious festival. “Such platforms help movies get noticed,” says Deepak. A story of resistance and resilience against right-wing forces, it is told through the unlikely friendship between a senior citizen, Balan Marar (Indrans), who is hardened by his experiences, and a young Muslim girl, Ashitha Beegam (Meenakshi Anoop), who refuses to be tied down by the dictum of the society.