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From Security Guard To An Award Winning Screenwriter: The Journey Of Ere Gowda

From Security Guard To An Award Winning Screenwriter: The Journey Of Ere Gowda
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When Ere Gowda started working as a security guard at an automobile company in Mysore right after he completed school, he didn't know what future held for him. He dreamt of becoming a film director.

Years later, Gowda has made 'Thithi' -- a Kannada film being showered with awards -- with his childhood friend Raam Reddy.

Between November 14, 2015 and March 2016, 'Thithi' has bagged as many as seven awards including two prestigious prizes at Locarno -- the oldest film festival in the world. It also won the National Award for the Best Kannada Film.

Gowda is the co-script writer, director of second unit, art and casting director, besides being line producer in official capacity. While the characters of 'Thithi' are quite unforgettable, the story of the Gowda's journey is no less inspiring.

Gowda went to Bengaluru for work when he was 18, ending up in the office of Raam Reddy’s father as a security personnel. "After two years, my mother was diagnosed with cancer, and I needed to earn more money to pay for her treatment," Gowda, who is now an acclaimed scriptwriter, told the Times Of India.

Gowda and Raam struck up an unlikely friendship. Gowda didn't know English and Raam didn't understand Kannada. "We used to play cricket, table tennis and other sports after he'd return from school," he said.

When Gowda's mother succumbed to cancer, he decided to quit the job and return to his village Nodekopplu. But Raam did not allow him to leave and got him appointed as an office assistant in his mother’s office.

"I learnt the basics of computer without anybody’s help. Support extended by Anitha Madam has helped me reach where I am today," Gowda told The Hindu.

Gowda was shooting and editing videos for Raam's mother. Meanwhile, Raam found his interest in films at St Stephen's College in Delhi. After he returned, they made a short film together. After its success, they decided to make a feature film. "I had told him (Raam) several tales about my village, so after a visit there, Raam decided to study filmmaking for a year to make Thithi," Gowda said.

The cast members were Gowda's relatives, but that didn't make the shoot easy. It took them six months to shoot the film because they had to work around everyone's schedules. The actors couldn't remember the dialogues, so Gowda had to write it according to their individual style of speaking.

So, what's next for Gowda?

"I don't know what the future holds, but I always put my best into everything that I do, and I will continue to do so," he said.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.