An Austrian film featuring an Indian actor speaking German, a groundbreaking project, is nearing completion in Vienna. This innovative film titled “Happy,” is written and directed by Sandeep Kumar, an Indian-origin Austrian filmmaker. In a remarkable move, Mumbai-based actor Sahidur Rahman has taken on the role of an illegal immigrant who is forced to face the harsh realities of a deportation notice.
Sahidur Rahman, a distinguished alumnus of the National School of Drama in Delhi, has already had his share of international acclaim. He was notably seen in Karan Tejpal’s “Stolen,” which had its world premiere at the 80th Venice Film Festival last year. But it’s his role in “Happy” that is setting new precedents, not only for his career but also for cross-cultural filmmaking.
Sandeep Kumar, who previously made waves with his film “Mehrunisa,” reveals that Rahman committed himself to learning the German language intensively for four months before the shoot commenced. “Initially, I had approached a well-known actor from Mumbai to play the lead in ‘Happy.’ He was enthusiastic about the script but unfortunately, his schedule did not permit him to join the project,” Kumar shared with the PTI on the sidelines of the 77th Cannes Film Festival. “Sahidur has done an incredible job,” he added with evident pride.
Kumar’s inspiration for “Happy” goes back to 2012. “Newspaper sellers in the subways and other spaces of Vienna are mostly immigrants from the subcontinent who lead precarious lives,” he explains. “This idea lingered in my head for years.” Originally, Kumar had envisioned a documentary, but as he delved deeper into the stories of these individuals, he realized a fiction film would allow him to explore the narrative more freely.
. “Documentary filmmaking isn’t really my strength,” he admits.
The backdrop of the film is grounded in recent events; 2023 saw a significant number of illegal immigrants being deported from Austria. This real-world context adds a poignant layer to the protagonist’s story. “The timing felt right. This was a story that simply had to be told,” Kumar insists.
“Happy” centers around the protagonist’s relationship with his nine-year-old half-Austrian daughter, highlighting his quest for happiness and stability amid the looming threat of deportation. “The film portrays his struggles to secure a better life for himself and his daughter,” Kumar elaborates. “It also mirrors the lives of those around him, individuals who, despite having everything, still fight for their own version of happiness.”
Sandeep Kumar made a strong impression with his previous film “Mehrunisa,” which featured the late Farrukh Jaffar. “Mehrunisa” was well-received, showcased at the International Film Festival of India in Goa, and subsequently traveled to various global festivals.
“Happy,” backed by the Austrian Film Commission, boasts a multi-lingual script, incorporating elements of Hindi and English alongside German. The film is set to embark on its festival run soon, aiming for a wider theatrical release later this year.
As Kumar and his team put the finishing touches on “Happy,” the anticipation builds for this groundbreaking piece of cinema. The film not only challenges cultural and linguistic norms but also paves the way for more inclusive storytelling in the global film industry.
