Stepped in to protect uniqueness of 'Ship Of Theseus': Producer

Actor-producer Sohum Shah, who has co-produced internationally acclaimed "Ship Of Theseus" along with Mukesh and Amita Shah, says he joined the project to protect its unique concept.

Sohum also acts in the movie, directed by Anand Gandhi and presented by filmmaker Kiran Rao. The movie brings three different stories in one basket.

"I started as an actor and got selected after giving auditions for the film. After some time I realised the film could not be made because Anand did not wish to compromise on certain things. People suggested many things like changing the name, bringing in a commercial actor, adding songs," Sohum told IANS.

"I felt that the content and Anand are very unique and I must save it... I thought if I won't come in as a producer, then maybe the movie cannot be made," he added.

Sohum believes Gandhi's honesty is the USP of the film.

"The USP of the film is that it has been made with utmost honesty. It has been made exactly the way the director wanted to make it and there have been no compromises with the story," he explained.

The movie has been appreciated on global platforms.

The team took "almost three-and-half years" to come up with the final product. "Today, if the film is being appreciated, then it is because of its honesty," Sohum said.

Slated to release in India July 19, "Ship Of Theseus" also features Aida El-Kashef and Neeraj Kabi in the lead roles.

And Sohum rules out any commercial element, including a big star in the cast, adding to the film's viability.

"I don't think that if we would have added anything commercial, it would have done any better. The film's honesty would have gone if we had tried to bring in a big star," he said.

"Ship Of Theseus" won the 2012 British Film Institute (BFI) Jury Special Mention at the BFI London Film Festival; 2012 Enlighten Award at the Naya Cinema Festival; and the 2013 Transylvania Trophy at the Transylvania International Film Festival.