Sangeeta Yadav speaks with Haramkhor’s director Guneet Monga about the film and the challenges
What is Haraamkhor all aboutIJ
It is the journey of three wretched souls in pursuit of love. It’s an innocent, illicit and emotionally driven story, set in the virginal desert territory juxtaposed against the lifeline of India’s dream development. A 15-year-old is infatuated with her 35-year-old school teacher, Shyam. Her classmates, Kamal and Mintu, are spectators to this secret love affair. But Kamal is in love with Sandhya. The film is about stirring emotions.
Is it based on a real-life incident that took place in GujaratIJ
It’s a fictional film, not a true story. But like most stories and films, Haraamkhor, too, it’s based on true events and characters.
What have you tried to show in itIJ
That, how much ever we’d like to believe in black and white, the world is full of grey. Haraamkhor explores that element of grey in us. This does not mean that everybody is exploiting each other. It simply implies that when we sense our favourite thing slipping out of our reach, we all resort to desperate measures. Sometimes these are planned and sometimes impulsive.
What was the biggest challengeIJ
To shoot a feature film in 16 days on a shoe-string budget. But we managed to do this with our talented cast and crew. The energy and aura of a superstar like Nawazzuddin Siddiqui made it brilliant.
How did the idea for this film came upIJ
The story inspiration is based on an article that I’d read a long time back. Secondly the storyline, a young school girl falling for the wrong man. I personally find it very engaging. The emotions that have been explored in this film are very universal.
What kind of research work has gone into this filmIJ
We had spoken to a lot of young girls about their love stories.