Tell us about your short film Saari Raat IJ
It is based on a play by Badal Sircar, a legendary Bengali playwright and theatre personality. The story is about a couple who seek shelter from the rain in an unknown room where they encounter an old man. While conversing with him, the couple gets to know each other better. Bengali songwriter Anjan Dutt’s son Neel Dutt has given the music for the movie.
What prompted you to make your debut in Hindi cinema with this storylineIJ
I would not call Saari Raat my debut Hindi film in Hindi cinema. This is something I’ve made for the cause of Zeal for Unity. I have watched a number of plays by Badal Sircar over the years. I love how they have an element of mystery and almost always appear to be magical in a way. This one is my favourite play and I thought it would be a nice challenge to adapt into a movie.
How was it working with Konkona Sen Sharma, Ritwik Chakraborty and Ajnan DuttIJ
I’m lucky to have worked with them. They are among the best actors in Bengali cinema. People who watch Hindi cinema know Konkana but they don’t know how good Anjan and Ritwik are. It was a great experience.
Anything that you did for the first time as a filmmakerIJ
First is setting the movie in just a room throughout its duration. It is extremely tricky to engage the viewer within a single setting. It was challenging to get some of the shots right. Second, in the movie it is raining outside and we wanted to get the reflection of the water pouring down on a wall and my cinematographer and I had to work around with different lighting and settings before we could get the right shot.
Choosing the poems and how to place them was also challenging as when you are making a movie of a shorter duration and you’ve a character reciting poetry in it, it can get a little abrupt for the audience. So that was another challenging aspect.
Do you think entertainment is the best way to unite and spread peace and happiness between the two countriesIJ
Cinema is definitely a great way to reach out to people across boundaries and cultures. And it’s necessary to spread the message of peace. There is no better way than cinema to send out the message as everyone can watch it and connect with it. Its reach is limitless.
Which films are close to you heartIJ
It’s very difficult to pick and choose. But there have been a few movies that are very close to my heart — Mr and Mrs Iyer, 15th Park Avenue.
Would you like to remake any of your films or movies in Bengali, Hindi or EnglishIJ
I would love to make a sequel of Mr And Mrs Iyer in Hindi. In fact, I was going to call it Mr And Mrs Chowdhury.