Anoop Menon was initially sceptical about 'Checkmate': Director Ratish Sekhar

Like many youngsters around us, Kottayam native Ratish Sekhar opted for engineering for his higher studies, due to peer pressure. He also went on to grab a high post in cyber security in the US. However, none of this let him put out the fire of filmmaking in him. The 40-year-old is all set to release his first feature film, titled 'Checkmate', starring Anoop Menon and Lal, on August 8. The movie shot completely in the US, was canned across multiple locations like New York City, Connecticut, Vermont, Massachusetts and even the prestigious Senate chamber of the Connecticut State Capitol - where the US President addresses Senators. This is probably the first for an Indian movie. The filmmaker, who  currently serves as the Chief Technical Officer for the Judicial Branch of Connecticut, tells us about his film, the story behind its making and more: 

A high-budget thriller 
'Checkmate' is a thriller, in which Anoop Menon's character runs a pharmaceutical company, reveals Ratish. Actor Lal also plays a major role in the movie. “The film has a non-linear narrative style and it's tailored for a theatrical experience. It has a rich music-scape as well,” says Ratish, who has also directed several short films and music videos in the past. What's the film's connection to chess, if its title is anything to go by? Ratish says “Anoop Menon’s character navigates a high-stakes, metaphorical game of chess against those trying to undermine him and his company in the film, thus the title.”

Interestingly, Anoop Menon recently termed 'Checkmate' his 'most expensive film yet' on his social media page. Why is it so? Ratish explains, “We filmed across multiple states and cities in the US for 86 days and also utilised several multi-million dollar homes, the Hartford Police Academy boxing club, Connecticut warehouses, and even filmed on a mountain in Vermont at -20 degrees Celsius. It was phased across three schedules, to capture all seasons in the New England area (a region comprising six states in the Northeastern United States). These factors contribute to the film's high production costs.” The movie also has technicians and stunt actors who have worked on major Hollywood productions. 

Cybersecurity to cinema 
At his job, Ratish says he handles cybersecurity, identity, and cloud technologies, ensuring the courts remain secure from breaches. Despite his technical career, he says his passion for filmmaking has been a constant from a young age. “However, due to peer pressure in Kerala, I pursued an Engineering degree. Even so, art has always inspired me and remains a significant part of my life,” says Ratish, who has also composed and sung the songs for the videos he directed, earning awards in local film festivals for direction, cinematography, and singing. 

How Anoop Menon came on board
When Ratish reached out to Anoop Menon for 'Checkmate', it wasn't an immediate yes, he recalls. 
“Initially sceptical, he interviewed me because he didn't know me at all. It took a few months of back-and-forth discussions, both technical and creative, before he signed on, understanding that we were an independent team and 'Checkmate' was a female-centric movie,” recalls Ratish. The same goes for Lal, who Ratish says provided instrumental support and advice.

The musical richness
The filmmaker says has also collaborated with concert pianists from Europe, brass-horn musicians from Budapest bands, and over 60 musicians from Cochin, Chennai, and the USA for the musically rich film. Ratish says this was to ensure that even the smallest details are not overlooked. “As a musician, I also wanted to ensure that there is a uniqueness and freshness to the songs because we Malayalis love songs. The songs, sung by renowned artists like KS Chitra, Nithya Mammen, KS Harisakar and Vedan are used as storytelling tools. They cater to different age demographics and musical styles, from soulful lullabies and romantic melodies to rock and energetic rap tracks,” explains Ratish.