As Little Thomas gears up for its world première, director Kaushal Oza reflects on how Rasika Dugal transitioned seamlessly from her intense role in Mirzapur to perfecting a Goan accent for his film.
For his debut feature film Little Thomas, director Kaushal Oza acknowledges that assembling a lineup of actors like Gulshan Devaiah and Rasika Dugal, alongside producer Anurag Kashyap, has been nothing short of a dream come true. With the slice-of-life movie set to première on August 19 at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne, Oza admits he couldn’t have asked for a better producer than Kashyap. Known for his hands-off approach, Kashyap allowed Oza the creative freedom that only a producer with directorial experience could provide. Oza recounts, “Anurag is a zero-interference producer. I remember he and all the other producers liked one piece of music, while I preferred another. Ultimately, I went with my gut. Only a producer who has also been a director can offer such freedom to a filmmaker.”
This incredible support extended beyond just production decisions; Oza shared that the filming process was enriched by the camaraderie and professionalism of his lead actors. Little Thomas revolves around the poignant journey of a seven-year-old boy attempting to reunite his estranged parents. Gulshan Devaiah, known for his remarkable range, created a breezy working environment on set, ensuring the cast and crew were always at ease.
On the other hand, Rasika Dugal’s dedication to her role went above and beyond the call of duty. Dugal’s character, a piano teacher, required her to learn how to play the instrument—a challenge she met head-on. She committed to eight months of piano lessons so she could master the classical pieces. Oza remarks, “Her dedication to learning the piano was impressive. But even more remarkable was her effort to perfect the Goan accent, especially coming from months of shooting the intense series Mirzapur. The ability to switch so convincingly between the two worlds took significant hard work and skill.”
Rasika Dugal’s seamless transition is emblematic of the kind of commitment that makes the Indian film industry buzz with potential.
. “To see her shift from the heavy, dark character in Mirzapur to a nuanced, lighter role in Little Thomas was astonishing,” says Oza. Dugal invested time in language coaching, understanding the cultural nuances, and ensuring that her portrayal of a Goan piano teacher was authentic. This dedication didn’t just stop at accent training; she immersed herself in the local culture, spending time in Goa to get a true sense of her character’s background and lifestyle.
Much like Rasika’s commitment, Oza speaks highly of Gulshan Devaiah, who ensured that he brought a unique blend of professionalism and casual confidence to the set. “Gulshan has the rare ability to switch from a serious actor to someone who keeps the energy on set light and positive,” Oza shared. “His demeanor made him a joy to direct, and his input in character development was invaluable.”
As the film inches closer to its world première, Oza can’t help but reminisce about the journey it took to bring Little Thomas from script to screen. “This film has been a labor of love for everyone involved. From the producers who believed in the story to the actors who breathed life into the characters, the support was overwhelming,” he states. For Oza, this cinematic venture wasn’t merely about creating a film—it was about telling a story that resonates with universal themes of family, reconciliation, and the innocence of childhood.
Little Thomas is expected to strike a chord with audiences, thanks to the genuine performances of the cast and the creative freedom provided by Anurag Kashyap. For Kashyap, who is a celebrated director himself, producing this film was more about enabling Oza’s vision rather than imposing his perspectives.
While fans eagerly await the première, the positive buzz surrounding Little Thomas continues to build. Critics have already lauded the music, cinematography, and authentic storytelling that Oza has crafted. As excitement mounts, the cast and crew are thrilled at the opportunity to showcase their hard work on such a prestigious platform as the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne.
As the lights dim and the screen flickers into life on August 19, the world will finally get to see the effort, dedication, and talent that have gone into bringing Little Thomas to fruition. For Kaushal Oza and his dream team, this marks the beginning of what promises to be a memorable journey through the hearts and minds of viewers worldwide.
