ONE DROP Partners with Indian Filmmaker Nila Madhab Panda for First-ever Bollywood Film with a Social Message About Water

ONE DROP Partners with Indian Filmmaker Nila Madhab Panda for First-ever Bollywood Film with a Social Message About Water

MONTREAL, November 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --



ONE DROP is setting a new standard in the use of social arts for awareness, community
mobilization and behavioural change by partnering with critically-acclaimed filmmaker Nila
Madhab Panda, director of such hits as "I Am Kalam" and "Jalpari - The Desert Mermaid", to
produce a feature-length Bollywood film revolving around issues of water access and
sanitation.



In India, 128 million people are deprived of safe water and 839 million more live
without basic sanitation. The situation is especially dire in rural areas, where the lack
of access to these essential services is a widespread issue affecting the most vulnerable.
ONE DROP's projects use a unique approach involving water access, financial inclusion, and
social arts in order to ensure the sustainability of interventions.



"A big challenge in the water sector is the failure of water access projects due to a
lack of behavioral change- neglect of wells, safe water becoming contaminated, or
continued poor hygiene practices," says Danielle Valiquette, Chief International Program
Officer, ONE DROP. "In ONE DROP's projects, social arts, such as theatre tours or youth
workshops, have been demonstrated to be effective in changing these behaviours and
instilling a sense of ownership over water resources amongst the community. We are
extremely excited as this film is the largest social arts initiative we've embarked on
since it has the potential to reach millions in an innovative and entertaining way."



Titled "Kaun Hai Kitne Paani Mein" ("Who is How Deep in Water"), and featuring
well-known Bollywood stars Kunal Kappor, Radhika Apteym, Gulshan Grover and Saurabh
Shukla, the film will explore themes such as the sanctity of water, the difference it
makes when a population respects its water supply, castes, and rural life against the
backdrop of a traditional Bollywood love story. It is the first time ever that rural
villagers in the State of Odisha, one of the poorest in India and where the film is set,
will be able to recognize their own traditional folk music and choreography, landscapes,
and neighbours in mainstream Indian cinema, instilling a sense of pride and emotional
connection.



ONE DROP's project in India, including this film, is funded in part by Royal Bank of
Canada through its RBC Blue Water Project and United Technologies Corporation. Both
organizations are strongly committed to addressing water issues as part of their corporate
responsibility programs.



Filming is underway. The feature is expected to be released in India in the first half
of 2014.



About ONE DROP



ONE DROP-a non-profit organization created in 2007 by Cirque du Soleil Founder Guy
Laliberté-strives to ensure that water is accessible to all, today and forever. ONE DROP
significantly and sustainably improves living conditions through innovative projects which
promote self-reliance in communities worldwide. To learn more, visit ONEDROP.org
[http://onedrop.org ].




For further information:
Stephanie Weinstein
Advisor, Public Relations and Social Media
Tel: +1-514-723-7646, ext. 6151
Email: stephanie.weinstein@onedrop.org


One Drop Foundation


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