Nagaland’s 1st & only female producer Rebecca Changkija Sema- A TNT EXCLUSIVE

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By PREETTY CH. MARAK | August 17, 2018
"Dreams do come true for those who believe in themselves" by Bryant McGill
From the darkest part of life to the bright spotlight of cinema, this lady has proved that dreams do come true if you dare to believe and be passionate about it. A journey from 'Nagaland to Mumbai', this brave Naga lady is none other than Rebecca Changkija Sema the sole lady producer from Northeast. Here is an exclusive interview of "Rebecca Changkija Sema" with TNT-The Northeast News Today.
TNT: Tell us about yourself?
Rebecca Changkija Sema: I am an Ao naga from Nagaland. I am an ordinary woman, who has chosen to make extraordinary decisions. T he fact of being the first and only Lady Producer from Nagaland, it makes me more responsible towards  my people and region. 
 
TNT: What made you pursue film making?
Rebecca Changkija Sema: Ever since i was a little girl, I wanted to become a film maker, I grew up watching Cinderella, Chandrakanta,  Mowgli. I never had plan `B` because bollywood was the only destination I had chosen two decades ago.
 
 
TNT: Tell us about the problems you faced when you started your career in film making?
Rebecca Changkija Sema: The True color of my struggle started as soon as I landed in Mumbai in 2007. With no relatives & no God Father and I had already  finished my money within 20 days. No job, no food, no place to sleep but that shaped me well and  there was a time I slept without food, I slept at others corridor. It took 4 years for me to fit my shoes in Bollywood. B eing from Northeast, I knew my journey was not going to be easy as I was thrown out of the production house,  insulted many a time on several occasions because of my looks. People would check my tolerance, they question my existence  but nothing could stop me. My first Bollywood commercial was released in 2014 all over India. and that changed everything. 
 
TNT: What is your genre of film making?
Rebecca Changkija Sema: All my movies are base on a True story. 
1.  Movie Titled "The Dark Secrets of TONHI" which was released in 2014.  The movie has been shot in the interiors of Chhattisgarh State. The movie is based on black magic from the deep forest of Chhattisgarh.  According to the National Crime Records Bureau, over 1791 women had died between 2001 and 2010 on account of black magic and witchcraft. 
 
2. The title "2 AM at Lokhandwala": Its a Thriller and based on the life of Eunuchs in Mumbai city. Based on a true story of serial killings that happened in Mumbai.
 
3. Title  "16 MM PICTURE" based on true stories of Dark side of bollywood, the movie deals with the problems people face while struggling to make it big in the film industry.
 
4. Title 'Little boy'( Biopic Movie ) Co-Producer (Currently in Post Production )  shot in Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi and Mumbai. 
 
5. Title  `Nani Teri Morni ( Produced by Children Film Society )  which is a biopic on Mhonbeni Ezung, a nine-year-old youngest recipient of the National Bravery award in 2015.
shot in Nagaland.
6. Titled ` Te Amo `which is based on the story of young boys who are trying to make it big in the music industry. (realistic ) shot in Meghalaya and Assam. 
 
TNT: What is your greatest achievement till date?
Rebecca Changkija Sema: My greatest achievement is my family and my team in mumbai, my parents never stopped me from dreaming and aiming high they have never chained up  my dreams.
My parents always helped me in building up myself, my confidence and my willpower even though i am married now, things hasn't changed yet. My hubby and my in-laws are my biggest strength and motivation. And talking about my team in Mumbai, I have the best team, they are like my second family and we have been working since past 8 years. I am happy to have such a team who loves me, supports me, it is a blessing that i am being able to work with them.

In my journey many bollywood celebrities like Zeenat Aman, Shakti Kapoor, Rajpal Yadav, Mahima Chaudhary and others celebrities as well had came to support me and had push me a step forward to what i had aim for. I would just say that "I am really Blessed!".

TNT: Tell us about the process which you have to go through to come up with an idea of your film?
Rebecca Changkija Sema: Films & Designs in after referred to as FIND was founded in the year 2010 in the business capital of India, Mumbai. Initially FIND was  involved in the Publicity Designing of Films i.e. Creatives in the form of Posters, Hoardings etc. but gradually FIND ventured into the field of Professional  Photography & Print Ads. Today FIND STUDIOZ have entered into Film production.
 
TNT: Are you eyeing for larger platforms like Hollywood or Bollywood?
Rebecca Changkija Sema: Yes, we have completed 6 Bollywood commercial movies under the banner 'Find Studioz Production house' and in the year 2014 was our first  released. Movie Titled "The Dark Secrets of TONHI" which has been shot in the interiors of Chhattisgarh State . The movie is based on black magic from the deep forest of Chhattisgarh. The Movie starred actors like J.Brandon Hill ( Renowned Actor of Bunty and Babli fame also movies like Phantom , Raaz 2 , Double Dhamaal etc. ) , Natasha Sikka ( Famous Model ).  Now My main subject is Northeast and work more with our people . we have completed 3 movies in Northeast ( Meghalaya /Assam /Nagaland / Arunachal pradesh ) and now we are heading towards sikkim .I will be very happy the day I could cover 8 states of Northeast . 
 
TNT: Who is your role-model in terms of film making?
Rebecca Changkija Sema: Susanne Bier she received an Oscar nomination for best foreign-language film for After the Wedding.
Meghna Gulzar, She recently directed the critically acclaimed Talvar and of course Priyadarshan and Madhur bhandarkar.
 
TNT: Is it necessary for someone to join a film institute in order to become a successful film maker?
Rebecca Changkija Sema: I t's all about passion, I have seen many self made film maker in Industry, they are doing a marvelous job and i have also  seen pass out students from good film institute yet doing nothing so i think  Passion plays a major role here.
 
TNT: Do you want to convey any messages to the upcoming talents of Northeast?
Rebecca Changkija Sema: Bollywood seems to have opened its arms to the Northeast , India . which is really good and we have many talented Film makers,  artist, singers, technicians from our region.
I am sure many new youngsters are coming up with new ideas in their mind but above all 'hard work is the key to success', i believe that  Life is one big roller coaster ride. It has it's own ups and downs but there's always light at the end of the tunnel and one should never ever give up.
The interviewer can be reached at ptymarak30@gmail.com
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