Ava DuVernay's Film On Dr B. R. Ambedkar: 7 Things To Know

Writer, director and producer, Ava DuVernay has made some award-winning films so far and this time she is attempting in making a film on Dr B. R. Ambedkar. The casting of the film is open for people to apply for the role of Ambedkar.

DuVernay is known for her activism and films, as most of her films had a strong social message to send across. Some of the films made by her are namely, Selma, 13th, A Wrinkle In Time and When They See Us. She has worked extensively for the upliftment of the Black community in the United States Of America and she believes in activism through art.

Ava DuVernay's Film On BR Ambedkar: 7 Things To Know

1. Netflix feature film on Dr Br. R. Ambedkar was announced back in 2020. DuVernay will be directing it and the film might be partly based on Isabel Wilkerson's 2020 book, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. 
2. According to the reports, the casting search for the film says that they mention people of the 'Ambedkar community' to apply. The term Ambedkar community doesn't sound familiar and might be odd.
3. The search document also specifies the caste of Ambedkar and talks briefly about his life. So the reports presume that the makers might have meant the Dalit community by addressing it as the 'Ambedkar community'.
4. Casting Director Aisha Coley who handles all the films of DuVernay is also responsible for this film and her agency has been looking for the right match for the film.
5. Reportedly, the agency had sent a mail to the Ambedkar International Center, an anti-caste organisation in the United States of America regarding the casting call.
6. The said mail read, "We are working on an upcoming independent film based on a book, and we are seeking to cast someone to play the esteemed Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar. We were hoping to have a conversation with you about the role, how to authentically cast it, and perhaps how to explore the Indian community more deeply."
7. DuVernay's attempt to make the film about Ambedkar might bring the struggles of the Dalit community on the world map. Yashica Dutt, a journalist based in New York and a writer told The Quint, "DuVernay is one of the few filmmakers whose work is changing Hollywood."

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