Coconut Films’ Tushar Raut narrates the story behind Royal Enfield’s ‘Home’ film

Royal Enfield recently rolled out a brand-new film digitally, titled ‘Home’. The film follows follow a sole rider’s journey through Ladakh on a motorcycle, the wheels mapping out the circle of life beneath them.

Conceptualised and created by Coconut Films, the core message that the brand film aims to deliver is that going the distance is not about how far away you will get, but from what length you’re willing to return.

Adgully spoke with the makers of this brand film, Tushar Raut, Co-founder, Coconut Films. Read on to know the idea behind the concept of amalgamating emotions with a machine, touching upon various feelings attached to returning to one’s safe haven – one’s home. 

Watch: Royal Enfield | ‘Home’

What prompted you to make a film for Royal Enfield, especially at a time when traveling or commuting for that matter comes with so many restrictions?

The film was conceived a year before the pandemic started. The idea of making a bike film in Ladakh was the first core one liner. When discussed internally, Aiman (our director) came up with the concept of returning back to the roots. Back then we didn’t know that the film’s relevance at the time of release would mean much so more than what it was at the time of conception. It got prophetic, come to think of it. Sans COVID-19, if you think about it, the film could be comprehended differently at various point of time in life.

This is a fairly long format campaign. How did you decide on integrating a brand that fits the bill?

The decision came in easy considering the storyline, script and the terrain where we were to shoot. Going back to your roots, reconnecting with experiences that were a part of were daily existence once and reliving every aspect of a journey, this authentic experience can be effortlessly integrated with Royal Enfield. The choice was simple. In fact, the product in turn also rendered to the story line.

What is the key message and the central concept of the film? 

Going the distance is not about how far away you will get, but from what length you’re willing to return. Going back to roots and getting back. In other words, it is a test of tenacity, resilience and challenging oneself to go beyond.

What, according to you, prompted Royal Enfield to use this film and release it on their digital platforms?

As mentioned by Shubhranshu Singh, the Global Head Marketing, Royal Enfield, it is the film that tells a heartfelt story in a very authentic manner. As for us at Coconut Films, we feel that central message of the film and the story we tried to tell fits like hand in glove with Royal Enfield effortlessly.

What are some of the elements of the film that stand out creatively?

A woman riding a road bike, which has been largely considered a motorbike for men, that too in a difficult terrain like Ladakh. Breaking gender stereotypes, I believe, adds to the storyline as well. Also, the music of the film, the chorus sung by old women, was nowhere in sight during pre-production. However, while shooting the film, the director and team came across this enchanting folklore and decided to record it on the phone. It has been beautifully incorporated by Sameer and Tanuj Tiku into the film. The uplifting crescendo gives a charismatic and authentic touch to the film. 

Cruising is what comes to mind straight off the bat when you think of the Royal Enfield, but how did you turn cruising into a profound experience that worked for the brand?

Exactly, it was about time we wanted to bring forth the emotional aspect that cruising a Royal Enfield could stand for an enriching experiencing. A journey always teaches you something, especially if you are driving or riding. You discover so much and every journey is an experience, especially if you are travelling back to your roots. Yes, it is profound, but it is authentic as well, which is what we believe has worked for the brand.

What was the duration of making this film? Do share the script to screen journey for us in brief.

The film was shot in February 2020. The edit was locked in March, just in time before the whole country was put on standstill. Literally! Gradually, we took grip of the situation and just like everyone else we started from where we’d left, brick by brick, until we had the music done over Zoom, the grading was done in the US. Once everything was put together, we realised all the challenges we faced had just helped take the film a notch up. It took long, but it was worth the journey – both literally and figuratively.

Was it difficult to shoot given the ongoing restrictions and that the location was fairly remote?

Well luckily, we escaped the restrictions by an inch. It has been quite a journey. Shooting on that lovely serene terrain and in that weather was ethereal. Challenging, but absolutely worthwhile. We faced restrictions during post productions, but like I said, we figured out our ways of tackling it. We at Coconut and the other nuts who believed in our journey took part in it and made it happen.