‘Two million people are infected with HIV’

Manpriya Singh

He could have made a money-minting pot boiler, a slapstick comedy, a romantic drama, but as filmmaker Bhushan Gaur chose to go ahead with the story that was relatable, sensitive and meaningful- A docu-drama dealing with the facts of HIV. “I read an interesting story somewhere about an HIV infected man having his own uninfected baby and it lead me into a prolonged research. What resulted was a beautiful and very relatable story for just anyone,” director, writer and producer Bhushan Gaur introduces his film There Will Be Tomorrow, which deals with the sensitive topic of HIV.

Recently screened at the HIV Congress held in Goa in March, the film addresses the hopes and failures of the couples affected by HIV. “While there have been many films on HIV awareness, There will be Tomorrow specifically focusses on HIV victims having their own uninfected babies.”

HIV and countless myths, busted!

“Do you know that HIV is as good as any other chronic disease as blood sugar or blood pressure if right medicines are taken? Do you know that HIV patients can conceive a baby in a regular way if the medicines are taken under medical guidance,” he adds, “A team of about fifteen researchers and doctors and about twenty families affected by HIV were consulted before the making of the film.” What was originally intended to be a feature film underwent several revisions to be a short film, after a pre-production work that lasted year and a half. “I wanted it to be an interesting film and not just a statement of facts. The drama and content in the film are all real.” The film stars actors Sahil Salathia (last seen in Ashutosh Gowarikar’s TV show Everest) and Nimisha Mehta (Miss India pageant winner from UK) in the lead.

The big question—Funds and revenues

Come November and he is set to direct an English feature film. “The filming begins in the US.” But before that, coming up is yet another documentary on Hepatitis B & C. “It is sponsored by a pharma company. The major cause of spread of Hepatitis B and C is medical negligence and it can spread even if the infected tray in which syringes are kept is reused?” he shares. As for the revenues and funds for There Will be Tomorrow. “I had fortunately made money as an ad filmmaker so it was just a question of passion, not really commerce figures.”

—[email protected]