Class Issues

"I really hate how I HAVE to go the débutante ball because I'm a slutty hotel heiress. I mean I'd rather see Biff's band play".

"Yeah that blows".

Class boundaries really suck don't they? At least most of us don't have to deal with the such hardships. But you can learn a lot from those who have.

In the upcoming film Vanaja, director Rajnesh Domalpalli takes moviegoers on a thought provoking voyage through social barriers, sex, and the second-class status of women in rural India. Vanaja centers around story of the feisty 14-year-old Vanaja, played by Mamatha Bhukya. Vanaja has her heart set on dancing Kuchipudi professionally, but as the lower class daughter of a drunk fisherman Vanaja has a hurdle of obstacles to overcome. However the plucky girl soon takes a job with the local landlady, Rama Devi, in the hopes of learning dance from her mentor. Along the way she meets Shekar, Rama's beefcake politician son several years her senior, who may just be her downfall.

Written as part of director Rajnesh's student film project at Columbia University soon became a labor of love as the director took to Andhra Pradesh to make a feature film. Deciding to forgo theatrics for a more natural feel, Rajnesh decided to cast locals in the film. Yes you heard right. In fact prior to filming, lead actress Mamatha, had never acted or danced in her life. Which makes the film's success that much more amazing. The film has bagged scores of awards at various festivals including, Best Feature, Best Actress, Best Narrative, and Best Debut and garnered rave reviews from the New York Times and Variety.

Pretty impressive for a student film, huh?

Vanaja, now playing in selected theaters. www.vanajathefilm.com