Mike H Pandey, CEO, Riverbank Studios

Wildlife channels mostly present wildlife in it actual form. But I am completely against films that give wrong signals to human beings about beasts. Showing men jumping on animals or forcing them to open their jaws or claws is certainly against ethics.

Shooting animals with a gun is an easy job for human beings. But when it comes to shooting different moods of wildlife with a camera it’s only a few who survive the game. Making jungles a comfortable playfield and animals his playmates, famous wildlife filmmaker Mike H Pandey, CEO, Riverbank Studios, is the only Asian to have won the Green Oscar twice. It’s not only the innocence of beasts that catches his lens, but their pain and anger also find an equal reflection in his films. Capturing wildlife in its natural form and the interface with humans are the themes of his direction. The films shot by Pandey are not only educative in nature but also present a real life picture of the wild. Explore Pandey’s exclusive lens journey in this interview conducted by Ranjana Gupta of exchange4media.com. Read on.

Q. Does the country have sufficient training institutes for wildlife filmmaking?

Basically there are no special courses for wildlife filmmaking in the country but filmmaking courses are there. These give a fair idea about shooting. However, a person with a lot of patience can only take on wildlife filmmaking as one deals with natural actors.

Q. What are the prime activities of your own venture Riverbank Studios?

Riverbank is involved in making wildlife, corporate, educational, serious documentaries and few feature films. We also work with international agencies like French and Austrian production houses. We have two offices, one in Delhi and the other in Mumbai.

Q. Do you think there is enough government support to promote wildlife filmmaking in the country?

My only concern is that deforestation is taking place at a rapid pace in the country.

Elimination of tigers and elephants in the country is a serious concern. Wildlife conservation steps need to be implemented rigorously in the country. Local people should walk hand-in-hand when it comes to implementing conservation laws in the country. If the government is serious about these steps, wildlife filmmakers will themselves get the best of the wild to shoot in the country.

Q. Do you think the wildlife channels help in creating awareness among masses?

Films by lensmen like Richard Broch, Wick Gordon and the like have done a tremendous job in creating awareness among masses about the wild. To give you an example, that orangutan will become an extinct species in the coming 10 years has never been a cause of concern for channels. Instead capturing their child-like behavior is the prime focus. Time demands filmmakers to show the actual picture of the wild. My film on the shark whale showed the actual picture of the sea animal and its brutal killings. The film evoked an immediate response from the Government of India and the shark whale has been given put under the category of protected animals like the rhino and tiger.

Q. Who is your target audience and how do you fight competition with foreign channels?

Our target audience is people from all sections of society right from a four-year old child to an 80-year old man. Wildlife is not a glamorous and paying field in India. Whether we like it or not the western world till date prefers its own people when it comes to film direction. Even while shooting in India, westerners are preferred above Indians. This puts Indian shooters in a tough position when it comes to film direction on one’s own expenses. As far as competition with foreign channels is concerned, the access to funds and technology of equipment is superior, but on quality parameter both Indian and western filmmakers stand equal.

Q. What are your future plans?

My studio makes feature films using children, wildlife and big stars. The combination of the three generates enough interest among masses. At present there are four films in pipeline. These will focus on AIDS, wildlife and few corporates.

Q. Do you think wildlife photography has come of age?

I think wildlife filmmaking has certainly come of an age globally and in India sea-change has taken place over the years. There is greater access to wildlife channels that have been successfully showcasing all aspects of wildlife. As far as India is concerned, we are the custodian of the largest flora and fauna in the world. Till date its potential has not been tapped by lensmen. Professionals of Indian origin should tap this opportunity as they know the terrain best. However, recently international accolades have been bestowed upon Indian filmmakers and this is testimony of our arrival.

Q. Are the various wildlife channels justifying their role in showcasing the actual picture of the wild?

Wildlife channels mostly present wildlife in it actual form. But I am completely against films that give wrong signals to human beings about beasts. Showing men jumping on animals or forcing them to open their jaws or claws is certainly against ethics. Channels at present have almost 15 per cent of their programming focused on this aspect. This should be replaced by programmes showing the actual face of wild animals. An effort should be there to inculcate a feeling of respect for the wild among viewers.

Q. What new innovations have been tried by you?

Well, talking about innovations, I came to India in 1977. At that time there were no long lenses available in the country. I bought aluminum from a local vendor and developed a long lend from it. Similarly, while shooting elephants in Orissa, I devised a car beam to help me shoot at night. This way, as per need new inventions keep taking place.