Exhilarating: Pan Nalin on Chhello Show entering its 25th week run in Japan

Gujarati film Chhello Show, which was India’s official entry to the Oscars last year and was even shortlisted in the Best International Feature Film category, continues to make waves abroad. On June 23, the film will enter its 25^th week of release in Japan. “It’s exhilarating,” says the film’s director Pan Nalin. He adds, “Whenever I think Chhello Show (The Last Film Show) has run its course and it’s time for me to move on to my next project, the film gets a new lifeline.He is in Italy currently, where he landed on Saturday to prep for the film’s premiere on August 23. “In Italy, they are releasing Chhello Show in 150 screens – which is huge for a foreign language film – including 20-30 outdoor evening screenings. It’s just unprecedented!” he says. The film is currently being screened in Mexico and Peru and will travel to Dubai, South Africa, France and Belgium as well. Excerpts from a chat:
On the film completing a silver jubilee run in Japan
At the Cannes Film Festival, we met the delegates of the legendary Shochiku Studio. By that time, our film had entered its 20^th week of release, and they said that it continued to receive phenomenal response. And the film is being screened in 72 screens, and only with Japanese subtitles, it’s not even dubbed! When I requested them to screen it for another four weeks so that I have a silver jubilee film to my name (laughs!), they said that it’ll run for nine! On June 23, Chhello Show will enter its 25^th week. It’s exhilarating!
On how the marketing worked for the film
The Japanese marketing strategy has been nothing short of a masterclass for me. For instance, the Shochiku Studio showed the film to financial professionals and entrepreneurs as a startup story (laughs!), it is such a different point of view! Since our film did not have big names, they screened it for popular Japanese standup comics and requested that if they liked the film, they could come and perform sketches at public screenings.
On his upcoming projects
I am yearning to return to work, but newer countries continue to discover Chhello Show, and the globe-trotting has kept me busy. There’s a couple of projects in the works – one’s a musical, while the other is a high-voltage actioner. While it is too early to reveal details, I can only say that I’ll be working within the (action) genre but with a twist. It won’t be a run-of-the-mill movie. And whichever of these projects I pick next, it will be the total opposite of Chhello Show. I have made my dream film, it’s done.
On the buzz the film has generated in Japan
The cinema halls had special tea stalls for cine-goers to experience the masala chai that is served in the movie’s scenes. Same with the food, a special QR code was generated, which when scanned would direct viewers to the five restaurants where Japanese chefs prepared and served Gujarati dishes shown in the film, including dal dhokli and bharela ringan. It is interesting that the colours depicted in the film as well as the attire of the female characters inspired articles in magazines and dailies there.
‘Japanese audiences are experiencing the film’s magic’
“In addition to the love for cinema, we believe that Japanese audiences are truly feeling the magic of this film. We find it really fascinating that the audience can be genuinely excited by the adventures of a curious boy with his rambunctious friends! It’s a beautiful and cinematic tale of a boy’s growth and the true love that parents have for their children, which is a universal and timeless theme. Just like in Japan, this inspiring film has the power to win the hearts of audiences around the world,” says Masahiro Yamanaka of Shochiku Studios, Operating Officer, Motion Picture & Acquisitions Division.