Abu Dhabi: Most of the expatriates’ life in the UAE and elsewhere in the Gulf is a pursuit of a financial dream alone; it should not be like that, says a young Indian expatriate in the capital who is thrilled at his successful first step in pursuing his childhood dream.
“I have seen many expatriates burying their creative passions and related dreams to achieve their financial goals only. At least to some of them, it is painful to realise later that money cannot compensate the dissatisfaction in life,” says Vishnu Vijayan Pillai, 29, a research engineer at the Petroleum Institute in Abu Dhabi.
He shared these thoughts while talking about his three-year-long efforts to fulfil his childhood dream of working in a movie in his home state.
Pillai, from the South Indian state of Kerala, is celebrating the box-office success of Malayalam movie ‘Captain’, in which he worked as an assistant director. The film by debutant director Prajesh Sen received wide acclaim.
The expatriate got the chance in the movie after getting rejected by around 25 filmmakers. “I did not give up because I started the efforts of contacting filmmakers with the positive energy of realising another childhood dream,” he said.
After completing Master’s in Nanotechnology from India, while doing his internship in the UK and master’s thesis project in France, it was his dream to come back and live in Abu Dhabi where he happily spent his childhood until grade 5.
“I was searching for job opportunities in Abu Dhabi everyday on the internet and my happiness had no bounds when I got into the Petroleum Institute in 2014. While enjoying the research on the role of sulphur-based nano materials in enhancing battery efficiency under Dr Saeed Al Hassan, an associate professor, he felt he should fulfil his childhood dream as well.
“My fascination with the film industry started from a young age when I idolised popular Malayalam film star Mohanlal.”
He made use of that passion in theatrical shows throughout his school and college days. Even after coming to the UAE, he continued to learn about acting and filmmaking through books and video tutorials.
“I strongly felt that if I don’t try and do it for a day, I will regret it later!”
He used social media [Facebook, Twitter etc] to reach filmmakers.
Finally, when Prajesh Sen accepted his request after his 25 other futile attempts, Professor Hassan helped him schedule his annual leave during the film shoot in Kerala last year.
Pillai’s wife, Remya Muralidharan, who was then pregnant with their first baby, extended all support to her husband.
“My experience on the set was amazing. Discussions with technicians, prompting dialogues to the artists and closely working with the art team gave me a sense of the pain and effort taken behind the screen,” said Pillai who wants to chase the passion along with his research career.
The movie director told Gulf News that he considered Pillai because of his sincere passion alone. “Many youngsters from the Gulf are approaching me for a chance,” Sen said.
They share their frustrations of not being in a position to pursue their passion as they are tied up with jobs and other commitments. “I can understand that feeling as I too had set aside my ‘film dream’ for the sake of a job and family commitments,” said the journalist-turned filmmaker.
Only phone in village catered to families of Gulf expats
Prajesh Sen still remembers the only telephone in the remote village which catered to the family members of expatriates in the Gulf in his childhood.
“Wives and mothers of expatriates in the village used to make a beeline at my home on Fridays by around 4pm, waiting for a call from their dear ones. My grandma would pick up the call and announce the name of the caller,” said Sen, 37, the director of an acclaimed Malayalam movie ‘Captain’.
His grandfather, who had worked with the Indian military, arranged a telephone at home, he said while sharing his childhood memories of the 1980s.
Expatriates of that generation, including his father who worked in Oman for 26 years as a driver, had heavy responsibilities and sacrificed most part of their life for others. “My father being the eldest had to take care of the entire family, including his five sisters.”
They could never think of their personal interests, let alone creative passions.
However, he said, the increasing number of young expatriates in the Gulf seeking opportunities in Indian movies reflects the changed situations.
“I get many requests from young expatriates in the Gulf. Most of them want to act.”
He said they are able to pursue their passions thanks to the sacrifice made by the previous generation.
“I got my education and everything because of my father’s hard work in the Gulf. Therefore, I can understand expatriates’ feelings and pain.
“We [this generation] are reaping the fruits of the previous’ generation’s sacrifice.”
Apart from the fewer responsibilities, the communication revolution has helped the young generation. “They can easily reach filmmakers through social media. Earlier it was difficult to get a phone number.”
It was difficult to prove one’s talent as well. Now one can take a video [of acting and singing] or shoot a short film and post it on social media or present it to a filmmaker, Sen said.
