"From Track to Screen: Indira Baikerikar’s Race Toward Real Stories"
Welcome Indira, we are very excited to have you today with us to discuss about your work.
Who is Indira Sanjay Baikerikar and how did the passion for creating begin?
I’m Indira Sanjay Baikerikar, an athlete turned filmmaker, producer, writer, director, and theatre artist from Mumbai, India.
I founded Sweekaar Productions in April 2024, born out of my love for both theatre and sports. That love inspired my debut film The Second Wind, based on the real-life stories of two women athletes — who actually played themselves in the film.
Can you tell us a bit about your previous work?
In the past two years, I’ve performed in around 10 to 12 theatre productions and also acted in front of the camera.
I’ve tried my hand at fashion, worked as a physical trainer, and have been a committed athlete — running for the past 13 years.
Watch my work:
https://youtu.be/Q5qI7VyB06s?si=w4yJgAmGvY9C8ns0
https://youtu.be/YVECLI16U4o?si=WC_YSXjknsyHQQyV
https://www.instagram.com/fiveringsfitness?igsh=MXB4ZDlwbTRtNTNrdA==
"The Second Wind" beautifully blurs the lines between documentary and drama. What inspired you to choose this hybrid storytelling approach?
As an athlete, whenever I started my long runs, I would always visualize them like a film.
Only a runner can truly feel that deep, emotional connection to the sport. I believe athletes can genuinely and honestly express those emotions in a way that actors who haven't lived that journey cannot.
That’s why the story — and its characters — were drawn from real life. I chose actual athletes and their original stories, and then added fictional elements to strike a balance between authenticity and entertainment, making it a powerful docu-drama.
CONVERSATION ABOUT: '‘THE SECOND WIND''
The cast itself comprises real athletes. How did working with non-actors affect the storytelling and performance on screen?
For me, filmmaking is an extension of personal expression.
Honestly, I never visualized any professional actor fitting into these roles — with all due respect to the acting community.
And the audience's heartfelt response, especially from festivals like yours, makes me believe that this honest approach truly resonates.
Sports is often seen as a physical pursuit. Your film presents it as an emotional and even spiritual transformation. Why was that perspective important for you to show?
I’ve personally experienced the transformation that sports bring to one's life — and it’s incredibly beautiful.
The core reason behind making The Second Wind was to pay that feeling forward, as a responsible citizen of the world.
We, as part of the sports community, constantly strive to inspire the 99% of people who are not yet engaged in amateur sports.
As a first-time producer and director, what were the most surprising challenges you encountered during the making of this film?
Being a first-time filmmaker gave me the freedom to think out of the box.
I wasn’t conditioned by any film school or traditional approach. That gave me an edge — a fresh perspective.
Of course, challenges like scheduling, managing the line of production, ensuring quality, and working within a tight budget were real. But I was fortunate to find a great cast and crew. Everything fell into place with dedication and teamwork.
What reactions do you hope to elicit from audiences watching your project ?
I’ve seen my audience experience healing through this film. It reconnects them with forgotten parts of themselves.
Many are inspired to reinvent their lives and embrace life as a gift.
For women especially, I hope the film reassures them that at any age — whether 25 or 50 — life is still yours to live fully.
There’s no such thing as “too late” unless you decide you're done.
In future projects, do you plan to explore similar genre intersections, or are there other genres you're eager to explore ?
My next film is already in the works.
It’s deeply personal — a tribute to my father, whom I lost on April 20th, 2024.
I believe relationships are at the heart of a happy society.
So, going forward, all my films will be based on real people, real struggles, real victories, and real losses.
Can you share a moment during the making of the film that deeply moved you or changed you as a person?
There’s a scene where a mother comes home and reads the diary of her lonely daughter. She realizes how disconnected their relationship has become.
That moment touched me so deeply — it made me want to rework and heal my own relationship with my daughter.
These are the kinds of honest emotions I hope to bring to my stories — real, raw, and relatable.
This marks the conclusion of the interview featuring our esteemed artist, Indira Sanjay Baikerikar. Our community is growing steadily, with a continuous influx of skilled filmmakers and screenwriters joining us. Explore our other interviews, and consider scheduling one for yourself to showcase your creative endeavors.
