In 2012, a small group of passionate dreamers in the UAE began an extraordinary journey. With no filmmaking background, limited resources, and only their weekends free, they set out to make a feature-length movie. The result was Nirel, the first-ever Tulu language film shot completely abroad, in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.

What sets Nirel apart is not just its distinction as a milestone in Tulu cinema but also the way it was produced. Director Ranjith Bajpe, along with his team, leaned on everyday digital tools like Google Sheets and Google Forms to manage the complexities of filmmaking. This innovative approach turned a near-impossible dream into reality.

First-Time Filmmakers Take on a Full-Length Feature

The team behind Nirel were professionals working in Dubai and Sharjah. Filmmaking was not their career, but their passion. Because they had full-time jobs, shooting took place mainly on Fridays, the UAE’s weekend, stretching production across an entire year.

Making a film is usually a full-time endeavor requiring constant attention to detail, from scripting to continuity. Yet, without the privilege of dedicating all their time, the Nirel team innovated. They found a way to use technology to bridge the gap.

Scriptwriting and Scheduling with Google Sheets

Instead of using traditional screenwriting software, Director Ranjith Bajpe turned to Google Sheets. Every scene was broken down into rows and columns:

• Scene numbers for structure
• Dialogues written in cells
• Costume codes for continuity
• Location markers for easy planning

This simple yet effective system allowed the entire crew to collaborate in real time. In 2012, collaborative cloud editing was still a novelty for many. For a group with no IT background, it was revolutionary.

Ranjith recalls:

“I wanted to write a script that could be accessed by everyone at the same time. Back then, sharing and editing documents online wasn’t common. But we used Google Sheets, and I trained the crew to adapt. It kept everyone on the same page—literally.”

Assistant Director Sachin Padil and Art Director Rajneesh Amin relied heavily on this shared Sheet to ensure shooting schedules and continuity were never compromised.

Costume Continuity with Digital Codes

Costume management is critical in filmmaking. The Nirel crew used a clever system—assigning each costume a code in their Google Sheet. This ensured that when a character’s attire reappeared in multiple scenes, it was tracked precisely.

This eliminated confusion and gave the small team the discipline usually maintained by big-budget productions with wardrobe departments.

Digital Auditions with Google Forms

Casting posed a major challenge since the film was shot outside India. To solve this, the team turned to Google Forms.

• Aspiring actors filled in applications online.
• The form collected data like age, gender, photos, and experience.
• Applicants were automatically categorized based on role type (lead, supporting, cameo).

This created a digital database of artists that was accessible to the entire crew. It saved time, reduced paperwork, and allowed the filmmakers to focus on choosing the right talent.

Location Planning and Logistics

Arranging shoots in the UAE came with unique challenges—location permissions, transport, and crew meals were expensive. To manage this, Executive Producer San Poojary created another Google Sheet that tracked:

• Date-wise shooting locations
• Crew member headcount
• Transport arrangements
• Food planning

By centralizing logistics in a single shared file, San Poojary was able to control costs and avoid unnecessary spending—vital in a country where expenses can spiral quickly.

A Historic Leap for Tulu Cinema

The journey began with Nirel’s launch at Tuluvere Parba in Dubai in October 2012. Shooting wrapped in early 2013, and the movie premiered on Valentine’s Day 2014 in Dubai, later screening across the Gulf and India.

Director Ranjith Bajpe, now working as a Digital Marketing Manager with Legend Holding Group in Dubai, proved that passion and innovation can overcome limitations. The movie went on to win the Best Film Award at Tulu Cinemotsava 2015, cementing its place in history.

Impact and Inspiration

Nirel opened new doors for Tulu cinema:

• It was the first international Tulu film.
• It showcased that regional cinema could thrive globally.
• It inspired other filmmakers from Coastal Karnataka to dream bigger.

Key Lessons from Nirel’s Journey

• Leverage affordable digital tools: Google Sheets and Forms replaced expensive filmmaking software.
• Plan around constraints: Shooting only on weekends was possible with meticulous scheduling.
• Smart collaboration: Cloud-based tools kept the team aligned across jobs and responsibilities.
• Think global, act local: A regional language film, shot entirely abroad, created an international identity.

Conclusion

Nirel is more than just a film—it’s a lesson in creativity, perseverance, and the smart use of technology. A crew of first-time filmmakers, working only on Fridays, produced the first Tulu film shot completely overseas by relying on simple yet powerful digital tools.

As Nera News reflects on this milestone, it becomes clear that Nirel paved the way for regional cinema to step onto a global stage. With passion, teamwork, and innovation, even small-budget films can leave behind a legacy.

Nirel’s story is proof that dreams can cross borders when backed by technology and determination.