Anubhav Sinha
After directing films like Tum Bin, Dus and Ra.One, Anubhav Sinha is ready to take off as a producer with his much-talked about film Gulaab Gang. He talks to MANJARI SINGH about the film, the anxiety and the challenges faced
‘A very difficult film to make’
How did you turn a into a producerIJ
I always wanted to be one. It’s been in my mind for six-seven years. I had been working towards it. It finally happened in 2011 when I set up my own company. I decided to work on movies after Ra.One (October 2011) but I took break for a few months because my mother was not well. Then, finally, two movies happened in April 2012 —Warning and Gulaab Gang. Warning is about youth who get into trouble. I have cast new faces in the movie and 90 per cent scenes have been shot underwater.
What is Gulaab Gang all aboutIJ
It is about a group of women who fight injustice against women but end up fighting women. I know a lot has been written about how the movie is based on Sampat Pal’s (founder of Gulaabi Gang) life. There are some similarities like women wearing pink and in a way the movie is a tribute to her but it is not entirely based on her life. I have never met her and I don’t know her story. The movie is a complete work of fiction. The shooting ended on April 20, 2013. We are now looking for a suitable date to release it. It may be around September or October this year.
How did you convince Madhuri Dixit to do this movieIJ
Madhuri was my only choice. It didn’t require any convincing. She liked the script and agreed to do the film. The same goes for Juhi Chawla, although her role is negative, something she has never done before. I just took three visits to convince her to play the role.
Women-centric films are in these days. Is that the reason why you made Gulaab GangIJ
I started the film in November 2011 and that’s when I met Saumik Sen. I don’t think either of the two movies, Dirty Picture or Kahaani was released at that time. I have made the film because I liked the story and the script; it’s not made as a women-centric film. Moreover, you can’t go to the financer and tell him that just because a particular film worked, your film will also work. I always cite the example of Delhi Belly. It is one of the most unconventional movies made till date it was a hit. Just because that was a hit, one can’t say all films of that kind will be hits too.
You have said that the movie has been difficult. WhyIJ
That’s because there’s no male protagonist in the film. Dirty Picture still had Emraan Hashmi but Gulaab Gang has only women. You might cite the example of Kahaani but I know the problems Shujoy Ghosh (director) went through when he made the film.