At 23000 Feet creator Kovid Mittal: ‘OTT has tremendously helped our mountaineering docuseries’ | Exclusive

The second part of the mountaineering docuseries, At 23000 Feet, will be streaming on Amazon Prime Video

Kovid Mittal has been working on the docuseries since 2021

It’s not always that one comes across someone from the fashion and entertainment industry indulging into full-time documentary making. Model-actor Kovid Mittal, who has been working on a mountaineering docuseries since 2021, has already released the first two parts of the series - 6387 Meters Black Peak and At 23000 Feet. Currently working on the third sequel, these expeditions are more than a thrilling adventure for him. The Bengaluru-based artiste intends to put India’s name on the global map, when it comes to mountaineering documentaries, while he brings hyper-realistic content for the audience.

Kovid engaged in a conversation with OTTplay ahead of embarking on the third leg of the expedition. He spoke about the challenges he has faced in filming at some of India’s highest peaks under extreme weather conditions, what has kept him motivated so far, why he thinks OTT has been a blessing for documentary filmmakers in the county and more. Excerpts.

Q. Tell us about the documentary series…

A. This is India’s first-ever mountaineering documentary franchise. Although I’m not from a mountaineering background, there came a time in my life when I wanted to explore how it feels to reach Mount Everest, which is located at an altitude of 8,849 metres. That’s when I embarked on the journey of making the first film, titled 6387 Metres Black Peak which was released in 2021. It played on DocuBay, Amazon Prime Video and on a German Channel, called Free Documentary. The movie also won international titles - like the ‘Best Cinematography’ award at the Canadian Film Festival and at Berlin Film Festival.

The second film in the series is titled, At 23000 Feet. This expedition took us to the Satopanth Peak, which is also located in Uttarakhand. The project was supported by the Government of Karnataka. This documentary has been recognised at four international film festivals. It will be released on Amazon Prime Video.

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The third part of the docuseries - titled Before Everest - will cover Mount Nun [which is located at an altitude of 7135 metres in Ladakh’s Zanskar Range]. But what makes this expedition extra special for the crew is that we will be crossing Kargil, where we are planning to have a stopover for two days so that we can spend some time with the Indian jawans stationed there. The final leg of the series will cover Mount Everest, and the expedition will take off in the next season in Nepal. So out of the four parts, two are done, the third one is underway and the fourth and the final is yet to begin. The series intends to tell the story of a mountaineer - tracing his journey from the moment he leaves his house until the time he reaches the top of the mountain. And this isn’t an easy task - from hypothermia and frostbites, among other health issues to a number of challenges while shooting the film - a lot is at stake here. For the making of At 23000 Feet we carried 18 GoPro cameras and two drones, and each GoPro camera was mounted on the Sherpa’s backpack.

Q. You are a model and an actor, who has been on this mission to scale the world’s highest peak and document the expedition in a film. How has this entire experience changed your perspective as a human being?

A. Initially there’s a fear, because mountaineering can take a toll on your skin. You get skin burns, even if you’re using sunscreen. And being a model and an actor, there’s always a fear of what if it does permanent damage to my skin. After coming back from the mountains, I have to stay inside the house for a month or so because of the severe tan on my face. To be frank, I don’t really need to put myself through all this. We could have easily made a fictional piece, even otherwise. But I think there’s a huge change in the way films are made now, particularly keeping in mind the audience’s evolving choices. Things are no longer how they used to be earlier. Now, people are looking for content that they can relate to. So, I want to bring something to the audience that they can relate to - a film that can motivate people and inspire them to aim higher in life.

I have never had any professional training in terms of mountaineering. Everything that I did I learnt on the spot - from things like how to carry a backpack and wear crampons to how to jumaring and climb vertical ice slopes. So, I believe an audience member would connect to me more. Besides, it’s also about bringing people closer to Mother Nature; to understand what life is beyond civilisation.

Q. How challenging was it in terms of filmmaking?

A. When it comes to filmmaking, it has been an extremely challenging task. The GoPro battery dies within every 30 minutes. Because you’re at -20 degrees celsius, batteries are freezing. And you’re literally praying that every morning the sun comes so that we can take those sun panels and charge the batteries. That said, I think I have learned a lot in terms of the aesthetic appeal; how it brings the cinematic appeal to the film, particularly in terms of colour grading and camera movements. This particular franchise is very close to my heart. Through this, I am trying to put Indian cinema on a global platform. And that’s why, I’m more focussed on this than my music albums and other advertising projects that I have been a part of.

Q. Both the first and the second part of the docuseries are already on OTT. How much do you think the digital space has helped you reach more audience?

A. OTT platforms have been a tremendous help for us. Mainly because, even if they get released in the theatres, such films will not last there for more than a week. And given the growing popularity of the digital space, OTT is as good as the cinemas. You can enjoy a film or a show in the comfort of your home, at your own convenient time. In fact, I think in times to come, OTT will take over the theatres as well. OTT platforms are a blessing for all those talented filmmakers out there, who always needed a platform to showcase their art.

As long as the content is good, the only major challenge filmmakers face on OTT is that it lands a deal with one of the biggies - like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or SonyLIV - to stream their movie or series. But that’s a good and competitive method, I guess, because a filmmaker would try his best to put the film on a major OTT platform.

Also read: Top documentary movies on Prime Video watch online Jun 2023

Q. Documentaries are often thought to lure only a certain set of viewers. What’s the trick to get more people to watch your films?

A. Among the most-watched films on Netflix is a documentary, titled 14 Peaks: Nothing Is Impossible. [Directed by Torquil Jones, the narrative follows the journey of a Nepali mountaineer, named Nimsdai Purja, embarking on a seemingly impossible quest to climb 14 peaks in seven months]. So, anything that has to do with danger or a life-threatening challenge also comes with a thrill factor, which draws the audience. Even if this is not your favourite genre, you’ll definitely find a level of interest in it. And the popularity of 14 Peaks is a good example of that. I think the times and people’s preferences have changed now. As long as your content is meaningful and you have done it with honesty and sincerity, it will draw an audience. Yes, this will also require a little bit of promotion and marketing, so that you reach out to more people, but a well throughout project will always find its viewers.

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