Giddh Director Radhika Lavu Calls First National Award Win 'Extremely Gratifying,' Hopes To Work with Mohanlal – Exclusive

Filmmaker Radhika Lavu has just bagged her first National Award for her acclaimed short film Giddh – The Scavenger, starring Sanjay Mishra. She attended the 71st National Awards ceremony in Delhi on September

24, and the moment turned out to be both overwhelming and humbling for her. In an exclusive conversation with Zoom, Radhika opened up about her journey, the importance of short films, her approach to storytelling, and her dream of working with Malayalam legend Mohanlal.

A Humbling Moment at the National Awards

Talking about the experience of receiving her first National Award, Radhika shared, “I think it was very humbling. That’s the word I would use – very humbling. Receiving the highest award for the work I’ve been doing for 17–18 years, producing and making films, is extremely gratifying. I was very, very happy, and proud of myself, but more than anything, it was humbling.”For her, the day wasn’t just about recognition, but also about validation. She recalled how special it felt to see short films celebrated on the same stage as feature films. “My journey started with short films, even as a film student. I am a producer who doesn’t differentiate between short films, AD films, web series, or feature films – I give my all in every medium. Seeing a platform where short films and feature films are given equal importance gave me immense happiness. It reinforced my confidence and faith in following my passion. Sitting on that podium made me feel that I was right to stick with my beliefs and love for filmmaking.”

Responsibility That Comes with Recognition

Winning a National Award is not just a career highlight for Radhika - it is also a reminder of responsibility. “Absolutely, it adds responsibility. It increases responsibility as a filmmaker, as a person, as a team leader, and a colleague. While sitting there, I promised myself that I would continue pushing the envelope, improve my work, and keep moving ahead with more rigor.”

Journey Into Filmmaking

Looking back at her beginnings, Radhika revealed how her childhood fascination with films paved the way for her career.“I was very young, just out of my Mass Communication degree. Mass Communication exposed me to films, radio, television, and journalism, but my heart was always set on making films – it’s been a childhood dream. Growing up in Delhi near Pragati Maidan, I would sit in the theatre every weekend, watching films in every language, not understanding some, but just absorbing everything. Bit by bit, every decision I took brought me closer to my dream of filmmaking. Every day was a challenge, but I treated each challenge as a stepping stone and poured all my energy into hard work. Patience, perseverance, and consistency are essential for a producer because films don’t get made in a month or two. The drive and excitement need to last years.”

On Recognition and Honesty in Storytelling

For Radhika, the priority is not fame but truthfulness to her craft.“More than recognition, I focus on honesty to my story and collaboration with my team. Films are made with personal experiences and expressions, and my main concern is whether I am being honest with my story. The true recognition comes from audiences – whether they understand, appreciate, and connect with the film.”

Giddh – The Scavenger and Sanjay Mishra’s Casting

Speaking about her award-winning short film, she recalled how strongly the script had struck her.“I met Manishji, whose previous work and accolades I admired. When he sent me the script of Giddh – The Scavenger, it left a deep impression – I couldn’t sleep that night. I felt I had to make it. When he suggested Sanjay Mishra for the role, I immediately agreed. The film had no dialogue, so it required an actor who could communicate everything through emotions and body language. Sanjay ji was perfect, and I couldn’t imagine anyone else in the role. The journey from reading the script to yesterday has reinforced my faith in choosing meaningful subjects and trusting my instincts.”

Her Storytelling Style and the Importance of Short Films

Radhika sees filmmaking as a collaborative process without rigid boundaries.“As a producer, I have the freedom to explore different genres, storytelling styles, and mediums. I like to challenge myself, explore, and keep experimenting. Language is not a priority; the story and team matter most. Filmmaking is a shared vision – it’s not just my vision or the director’s – it takes a village to make a film. I don’t set boundaries for storytelling; I like to stay open and keep learning.”She also highlighted why short films remain crucial in the industry.“Short films are a great medium for newcomers and a calling card for filmmakers to experiment and hone their craft. They will remain a crucial part of filmmaking, allowing experimentation and hands-on experience. Short films have ups and downs like any medium, but they are here to stay. They give filmmakers freedom and opportunity to execute their ideas with minimal risk compared to feature films.”

Balancing Content and Commerce

Radhika believes in balancing creativity with market realities.“I always maintain a balance between content and commercial viability. Sometimes one takes precedence over the other. It’s a work in progress to judge projects judiciously, especially regarding resources, budgets, and the market. Even with sufficient resources, if market factors aren’t considered, the film may not make sense. My advice to future filmmakers is to assess projects carefully, understand the market, audience, and collaborators (like OTT partners) to ensure longevity.”Inspirations and Future AspirationsWhen asked about her inspirations, Radhika gave credit to her peers and collaborators.“All of them. I’ve worked closely with talented colleagues like Nithya Menon, Kirty Suresh, Suhas, Priyadarshi, Chandni Chowdhury, Tovino Thomas, and more. Each of them has taught me something valuable, been supportive, and acted as a cheerleader for the work I’m trying to do. My entire team at LNR, including co-teams, cinematographers, and directors, inspires me constantly.”On her upcoming work, she revealed, “I’m working on a few Pan-India projects and South Indian regional language films. It’s too early to announce specifics, but several are in the pipeline.”And finally, she expressed her wish to collaborate with one of Indian cinema’s most respected icons.“Mr. Mohanlal. Seeing him receive the Dadasaheb Phalke award was inspiring, and I hope to one day produce a film with him.”Did you like our chat with Radhika? Let us know by tweeting at @TimesNow!