For many, Bimal Roy was a meticulous filmmaker who was known to make realistic films. But for Rinki Bhattacharya, he was the best father in the world. Taking the legacy of golden era forward, she has come up with a film festival that will showcase his best films. She talks to Sangeeta Yadav about the man who was the silent master of Indian cinema
Tell us about the upcoming film festival Ek Suhana Safar: Bimal Roy Retrospective 2016 that will be held on his 50th death anniversaryIJ
Starting from January 11 till 16, 2016 in Mumbai, Bimal Roy Retrospective will be showcasing six movies — Do Bigha Zamin, Parineeta, Parakh, Sujata, Madhumati and Bandini from his impressive body of work that hold a lot of significance. The success of this event over the past several years proves the tremendous fan following my father had. We’ve received good responses from the public and there are a lot of people who are want tickets for these films. This to my mind is the best tribute to an artist.
Efforts like these will definitely help restore the legacy of Bimal Da, do you plan to continue with such more initiativesIJ
It certainly will help in recognising Bimal Roy as an auteur extraordinaire. He was before his time. Do Bigha Zamin made 60 years back is a forerunner of the tragedy Indian peasantry faces till date. The ground situation is worse for the landless today, as it was when Do Bigha was made.
How was Bimal Roy as a father and filmmakerIJ
My father is the best example, I would like to site for all fathers all over the world. As a filmmaker he was unique. His craft was meticulous. In fact, he was a pioneer. Young ambitious filmmakers learnt by watching his work. He is one of the greatest artists of Indian cinema. He is not just an artist but a teacher for students of cinema.
Can you share some memories of him that you cherishIJ
We were going by train to Calcutta. When baba was booking train tickets, at the ticket window, he asked for two half tickets for my sister and me, little realising that we were already teenagers. That is how innocent he was. In his mind we had not grown up. I find this rather sweet whenever I think of this aspect of my father.
Was it difficult to take the filmmaking legacy forward in the golden era of Indian cinemaIJ
Every era has its own luminaries. The golden era of cinema had its own. There was Guru Dutt, Mehboob, Bimal Roy and others. But I’m full of admiration of our new generation. Shoojit Sarkar, Ashutosh Gowariker, Neeraj, Ghaywan, Hansal Mehta to name a few are moving the legacy of social awareness forward through their art. I’m very proud of Juhi Chaturvedi for the way she brings simple unobserved things to life, that build human relationship.
What are the things about filmmaking and entertainment from the 50s that you miss in BollywoodIJ
I miss that era of affectionate socialising between filmmakers and stars. The entire Indian film industry of the 1950s was like a huge happy joint family.
What are your upcoming projectsIJ
I would like to see my father’s work restored. I would like to refurbish his films so that they can be brought to life in the world’s biggest cinema houses. Most of my efforts will be directed towards this. Also I would like to find a suitable museum to make a Bimal Roy Wing and keep his memorabilia and legacy safe and open for the public.
How do your children Aditya Bhattacharya, Chimoo and Anwesha Arya help youIJ
My son is busy with his own work and far away. So is Chimoo who helped me with ideas for this festival. Anwesha and my oldest granddaughter Drisha Acharya will join us from Dubai for this festival. I am so overwhelmed with the kind of support I receive from my granddaughter and my great granddaughter.
What do you have to say about the film festivals and special screenings of classic filmsIJ
It’s great that Zee Classic has been an immense support to keep alive our legacy and thankful to support me in showcasing my father’s cinema to a large audience. I hope there will be many more festivals like this and we can watch films in the theaters as well as on the TV channels.