At a time when movies are getting more violent and rated R, writer-director Kaushal Oza tries to bring back innocence to cinema with *Little Thomas*.The film stars Gulshan Devaiah and Rasika Dugal, and its trailer promises to make viewers smile while exploring a simple and touching story.In an exclusive interview with source, Kaushal talked about the idea behind *Little Thomas*, who he cast, why he chose the 1990s as the story’s setting, and more.
“Where do babies come from?” — we’ve all asked this question.
But how was it to make a film about this idea?
It’s a semi-autobiographical movie.
I always wanted a little brother.That feeling stayed with me through my teenage years and even into adulthood.It never really went away.As a kid, I saw some of my friends had brothers or sisters, but I didn’t.As we grow up, we find our own ways to deal with our family situation.But I always thought, “If I had a brother, my life would have been totally different.”
I wrote a little story about this when I was at FTII (Film and Television Institute of India).
I wrote other scripts too, but I felt this was the film I needed to make.I also wanted to do something different from what we usually see.I loved books and stories like those of Ruskin Bond, *Malgudi Days*, *Swami And Friends*, etc.I wanted my films to capture the innocence those stories had.This story was perfect for that.
What made you set the film in Goa?
I did a location scout before starting the script.
I wanted places that felt magical and charming.I considered places like Darjeeling and Goa.I went to Goa first, and as soon as I walked through the streets of Fontainhas in Panaji, the world of *Little Thomas* came to life for me.I began writing the film with Goa as its setting.
From the trailer, it looks like a period film…
Yes.
It's set in the 90s, as I wanted to show that feeling of innocence.It’s hard to capture that today.Now, if a child asks where babies come from, they’ll just search it on Google.They might even ask ChatGPT!But the fun of the film is in the “wrong answers only” aspect, not in the child finding the right answer (laughs).
The kids wonder, “Itna bada secret kya hai?” and come up with all sorts of ideas that we, as adults, know are completely wrong when it comes to getting a little brother.
You see the child trying everything with sincere belief and faith.He feels sad when something doesn’t work and happy when another idea comes up.All of this was possible only in the 90s.
Also, the film is set in the mid-90s, a time when there was a clash between the old and the new.
The father (played by Gulshan Devaiah) runs a bakery, which is a family business.The liberalization era had started, and old businesses like his were facing new challenges.The film also touches upon this aspect.
EXCLUSIVE: Little Thomas’s director Kaushal Oza reveals why he set the film in the 90s instead of the present day: “Kids today will simply Google where babies come from or ask ChatGPT!”
This is the first time Gulshan Devaiah and Rasika Dugal are working together.
Were they your first choices?
I’ve been very lucky with this film and all my others, as I’ve always gotten the actors I wanted.
I really value acting, and I want the best performances.So, I never compromise on actors.I may compromise on anything else, but not on actors.
Moreover, their chemistry comes through naturally on screen.
When I was shooting the film, I knew the performances were good.
When the film was finally cut together, I saw these two actors really bring out the small details in their characters that made their relationship feel very real and genuine.
The story starts when they've been married for ten years.
So, they've gone through the early excited times of being newlyweds, and things have settled into a more routine pattern.Small problems start to show up, and sometimes you get the feeling that your partner isn't paying you enough attention.All of this comes through in their scenes.Even when they're being affectionate towards each other, you can feel that there's something from their past that has left them hurt.And even during their arguments, it's clear that the fighting comes from a place of love.
There's a funny scene in the trailer with a monkey.
But it looks like the monkey was made using VFX.That's because you can't film with a real monkey in India due to the rules.So, we had to create one using VFX.
You also became a lyricist for the song 'Adults Wrong Hai'.How did that happen?
I didn't want to write the lyrics.
I thought someone had stolen my work (laughs).I had given a brief to Shailendra Barve and told him, 'It should be like this song'.I had written some lines myself, which I thought were silly, something like 'Hum tum hai right, adults wrong hai'.Those lines stuck in his mind, and he liked them.But they were just part of my brief for the lyricist, who was supposed to write something nice.The next day, when I went to his studio, he had already composed the song around those lines!He sang it for me.He hadn't programmed it yet, but I felt it was coming out really well.I then decided to use a pen name, Iago, because I never thought I'd end up writing lyrics for this film.
Then, Ranjan Singh, the producer, liked the idea and asked, 'Should I write something too?' He wrote a few lines, and they were really nice.
Everything in the film was approved on the first try, which doesn't usually happen!
Why Iago?
Are you a fan of Shakespeare's Othello or the bird of the same name in Aladdin?
(Laughs) I'm a fan of Shakespeare.
I like his writing and the characters in his plays.That's why I chose the name Iago.
