Try not. Do or do not … celebrate Star Wars Day
We asked Durban filmmaker Dayakar Padayachee if he would choose the Dark Side or the Light Side.
Star Wars Day is celebrated this week on Thursday with the play on words, ‘May the fourth be with you’, and we decided to join in the fun. We reached out to our communities, looking for die-hard Star Wars fans and Musgrave filmmaker Dayakar Padayachee did not disappoint …
PADAYACHEE (32) has been a Star Wars fan since his first encounter with Stars Wars ‘a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away …’ at the old Musgrave cinema.
“I first discovered Star Wars at the age of five, during the re-releases of the original trilogy held at the Musgrave cinemas in 1995. I went with my father to watch it and was awestruck by the magic,” he said.
Since that fateful encounter, Padaychee has never looked back … although he did enjoy the prequel trilogy.
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“Anakin Skywalker was always my favourite character; I have a soft spot for the prequel trilogy and his descending into the Dark Side. But of recent age, Ahsoka from the Clone Wars series became my favourite, and she was cemented as my favourite in the last season of Clone Wars. Her passion and tragic dismissal from the Jedi Council always added far more maturity to her character,” said Padayachee.
For Padayachee, the best order to watch the Star Wars films is: Prequels, original trilogy and Mandalorian.
“My favourite of the series is The Empire Strikes Back – it is the most mature in the series and complex,” he said.
“I’m a massive Star Wars fan even though the recent new trilogy left a bad taste in my mouth. However, Dave Filoni and Jon Favereau have brought me back with Mandalorian and the series-based Star Wars properties,” he added.
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When Padayachee is not watching films, he is making them under his film company, Hot Glass Films. An award-winning independent film director, some of Padayachee’s films have been shown at local film festivals. These include Saloon, starring Kwenzo Ngcobo and Mbale Mavimbela, and The Caretaker, starring Danielle Retief.
Tell us more…
We asked Padayachee a few fun questions to find out just how big of a fan he is …
Would you choose the Light Side or the Dark Side?
The Dark Side, always. It’s just more fun. Palpatine is my other favourite character – the best villain in history, in my opinion.
What is your favourite planet in the Star Wars galaxy and why?
I have always loved Kashykk with the Wookies – just the overall design was cool. I always loved Naboo and the Moon of Yavin.
Which three characters from Star Wars would you invite to dinner?
Luke, Leia and Han – the original trio.
What is your favourite piece of Star Wars memorabilia that you own?
My original poster of The Empire Strikes Back.
Who is your favourite droid in the Stars Wars universe?
BB8 was my favourite, but R2-D2 is my boy.
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