Owners of Delhi-based Anhad Films have been making documentaries for the last four years. Despite having made over 20 films dealing with socially relevant issues such as the Muzzafarnagar riots and the poverty-stricken area of Shivar in Bihar, their efforts have largely gone unnoticed.

But some time in April 2010, Sania Hashmi and Mohan Kumawat, senior directors at Anhad, decided to use the Internet to reach out to a larger audience. Their first project, Mumbaiwalas , got around 700 views over a week’s time. “Internet is everywhere now. Because of mobiles, Internet is more accessible and it’s the good way to connect to the youth in cities,” says Hashmi. “Over a period of time, we have built a big network on Internet, so through our YouTube channel, it gets easier for us to connect to a larger audience.” Anhad Films is not the only low-budget film maker betting on the digital media. Blue Mango Films, which has been making non-fiction content for television, is now adding digital media to its focus areas. It had earlier worked on projects such as Living With Superstar Shah Rukh Khan and The Great Indian Wedding .

“Digital media has the maximum reach. People want quick stuff delivered to wherever they are,” says Riaz Sheryari, CEO, Blue Mango Films.

Additional revenue The biggest driver for the short-film makers moving into the digital area is the hope of making additional revenues. Unlike big Bollywood producers backed by major financiers, documentary makers have had a tough time. A larger reach through the Internet could change that. “Digital is the next step. It’s just going to get bigger. There’s a big shift from television to Internet. Advertisers are spending lesser on TV commercial and more on Internet,” says Sheryari.

The digital opportunity is encouraging new filmmakers to adopt this platform in a big way. Delhi-based Production Company Jamun, came into the scene in 2010, now launches all its projects on the digital media primarily. Producers at Jamun upload their projects on the online supportive community Vimeo, which provides digital filmmakers an opportunity to showcase their work online. “The Internet market is growing immensely. People are consuming a lot of stuff which is put on the Net. People want the stuff with them on time at their convenience,” says Udayan Baijal, Producer, Jamun.

Jamun had produced a video for a Delhi-based band The Ska Vengers, Modi, A message to You, in April and has received 49,000 views.

Hashmi says the market for documentaries is now growing and the new revenue stream will help in keeping conversations alive on issues about the oppressed.

(The writer is currently interning with BusinessLine)

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