Talktime | Kalki Koechlin
Having done movies like Shaitan, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Ek Thhi Dayaan, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and playing a memorable role in Margarita With A Straw, Kalki Koechin will now be seen in a film directed by Konkona Sen — A Death In The Ganj. She tells Sangeeta Yadav about this movie and her poetry video The Printing Machine
Tell us about A Death in the Ganj.
The film is based in the 1970s on a true story about six people who go on a trip and how they interact under one roof. It’s about human relationships. I play a writer/journalist. It’s Konkona Sen’s directorial debut. She is an excellent actor and being directed by her will be an amazing experience.
Your recent poetry The Printing Machine has become the most watched video on YouTube. Where did you get the idea for thisIJ
I was asked to write a poem for an author friend. Since I’ve always been influenced by the media, I thought of writing about my observations of this sector. It’s a satire on news gatherers and the robotic production of news. I read the newspaper daily and see shocking headlines. And the next day, something else happens and we forget about yesterday’s news. It was just about how de-sensitised we have become. We go online and get outraged and after two days, never hear about it.
How did you zero in on the cases you have talked aboutIJ
I worked on this poem in January last year. The gangrape of the Japanese tourist and of the reporter at the Mumbai Mill or the acid attacks were front page headlines. These were the stories that came to me. I have a scrap book in which I keep the cut-out of articles and note down things that really bother me. I got my ideas from there.
Which societal issues are you most concerned aboutIJ
All the issues related to women safety. Cases like the rape at the mill warehouse and of a lawyer — these are ordinary people who went through unfortunate incidents. It could have been us. I have nightmares about someone breaking into my house. It really affects me as a woman and makes me feel unsafe in your own home. Another thing that hits me is the big gap in our education system. We don’t even teach our children how to behave in society or about gender equality.
Does it really bother you when anything negative gets printed about your life and workIJ
Sometimes it’s tiring to read about the link-ups and break-ups based on speculation. These, I just ignore . The more you try to deny them, the bigger such issues become. Reading criticism about the film helps me better myself for the next project. Criticism is good for creativity.
What is true journalismIJ
There are so many reporters who apologised for asking personal questions. It’s not that they are wrong as they have been asked to put up a question about personal life and seek clarity. I believe what George Orwell said: ‘Journalism is printing what someone else doesn’t want printed’. That is true journalism. I encourage people to go out and write about issues that really concern them. No matter what change or value you want to create through your writing, you have to bring it to reality.
What’s your wishlist for 2016IJ
Keep on producing excellent work. I am lucky to get work. You don’t know where life takes you.