Talktime | Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury
After winning the National Award for his Bengali film Antaheen, Roy Chowdhury has ventured into Bollywood with Pink, an intense court-room drama slated for September 16. He talks to Sangeeta Yadav
What isPink all aboutIJ
The story revolves around three girls played by Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari and Andrea Tariang who get caught in a legal battle with high-profile boys over the issue of molestation.
Is it based on a real life storyIJ
Pink is a realistic and truthful narration on atrocities on women that we get to read every day in newspapers, on social media sites and news channels. You feel angry and humiliated. The issues had been bothering me for a long time and so I came up with this film. I discussed it with Shoojit Sircar and Ronnie lahiri who decided to produce the film. All of us identify with the storyline and worked on it as a great team.
Can you talk about the treatment of this subjectIJ
We didn’t over dramatised or spice up the story. From the life of any other ordinary girl living with friends, to the courtroom drama which thrashes them completely, everything is realistic. Before shooting this film, we discussed the issue and prepared extensively for two months. By the end of the shoot, everybody got connected with the story out of belief, love and feeling and put in their heart and soul into it. It impacted every person who was involved in its production.
The actors have talked about how they used to break down after every intense scene…
Not just the actors, after every scene, someone or the other had tears in their eyes and used to feel choked because we could relate to the struggles of what these actors go through in the film. It was intense and heartwarming. After one particular scene, even I started choking up. How an incident can turn your life upside down and put a question mark on a woman’s character is a staunch reality. It can happen to any woman and it takes a lot of guts to stand up for the wrong and fight the battle without giving up.
Amitabh Bachchan’s character looks very mysterious in the trailers...
I will not spill the beans as his character is integral to the movie. He is not only playing a lawyer fighting the case of the girls but will be seen keeping a close watch on them and, at times, saving them too.
How was your experience working with BachchanIJ
He is a man of humility, discipline, love and respect. I cherish the experience of working with him. Not just him, many other actors and crewmen got emotionally connected to each other through this film and worked as one big family. Even when nothing was happening, atmosphere on the sets was enriching. I feel I am a different person now.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has awarded the film a U/A certificate with four cuts...
Censor chief Pahlaj Nihlani said that Pink is a dark but powerful film with hard-hitting content. The Board members were impressed for showcasing the urban Indian woman’s difficulties in a patriarchal society. This film will give you strength and hope.
You have directed many Bengali films andPink marks your Bollywood directorial debut. How does that feelIJ
I didn’t feel even once that I was working for a different cinema or was out of my comfort level. This film turned out to be a celebrative art form.