Behind the Lens
A Conversation with Dinkar Rao
Dec 11, 2016
For months, my search for a copy of the documentary Lady James Bond proved fruitless, leaving my digital inquiries met with dead ends. It was only after discovering the Lavanya Entertainment (WIFPA Mumbai) website that I identified a lead: director Dinkar Rao. Driven by the singular focus of a researcher with nothing left to lose, I placed a long-distance call from the United States to the number listed. In a stroke of luck that redefined the project, Rao answered the phone personally.
What followed was a generous exchange in which Rao listened to my research goals and later provided written responses to my interview questions, along with a trailer for the film. Although the massive 67 GB file size made a digital transfer via Vimeo impossible, his insights provided a vital cinematic context to Rajani Pandit’s legacy. (Lavanya) Below is the transcript of my 2016 email interview with Dinkar Rao (D.R.):
“Rajani Pandit was very kind and cooperative. Yes, the tracking of live people was frightening and tense.”
Q: What prompted you to make the documentary, Lady James Bond?
D.R.: I was fascinated by the character of a lady detective in Mumbai—especially her status as the very first.
Q: How long did it take to shoot and complete the project?
D.R.: The entire process, from planning and shooting to post-production, took approximately five months.
Q: What difficulties did you encounter during production?
D.R.: While Rajani Pandit herself was incredibly kind and cooperative, the logistics were another matter. The process of tracking “live” people during surveillance was frightening and tense. Furthermore, obtaining filming permissions in Mumbai is an eternal struggle; often, we had to shoot without them.
Q: How did you secure funding for the documentary?
D.R.: It was an arduous task. In fact, fundraising remains the most difficult aspect of documentary filmmaking.
Q: Is the film available for public viewing?
D.R.: At the moment, I am still in negotiations to sell the documentary to public networks, so it is not yet available for general release. The file itself is 67 GB, which made it impossible to upload for your personal viewing.
Q: How would you describe your subject, Rajani Pandit, in a few words?
D.R.: A tough woman.
Q: Can you share details of your other projects?
D.R.: I directed Szoya the Black Widow (also known as Black Widow: A Land Bleeds), which faced significant hurdles with the Indian Censor Board. My other works include Papoo Photowalah, featuring an Indo-British cast, and Railway Raju, which we shot in Banaras. I have also completed documentaries such as Dancing Daughters, Sibba the Drag Queen, Jasmine, and The Tibetans of McLeod Ganj.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to share with my readers?
D.R.: Lady James Bond is a project very close to my heart. The life of a female detective is exceptionally demanding and far from easy work.