Making a film is tough, says Nandita

TORONTO: Actress and social rights activist Nandita Das, whose directorial debut 'Firaaq' has evoked good response from movie buffs here admits that making a film was anything but a walk in the park.
 
In an exclusive interview after a series of screenings of her debut film, Nandita said: "I did not expect the transition to be so difficult... Making a film entailed much more than I could have ever imagined. I wonder how some people manage to churn out one film after another."
 
A veteran actor of 30-odd feature films done over a period of 13 years, Nandita isn't in a hurry to plunge into her second film as director.

Even as Mehreen Jabbar's Ramchand Pakistani, a film from across the border that features Nandita in a pivotal role, is set for release in India on October 2, she has zeroed in on six scripts.
 
"During the making of Firaaq, I could not take on any acting assignments. Now I will," she said.
      
For the moment though she is basking in the hosannas being showered on her debut film, which narrates a cluster of stories that unfold over a 24-hour period a month after the 2002 Gujarat communal riots.
 
"I wanted to explore the different aspects of the impact of the violence on people at various levels of society," she said.
      
Calling 'deliberate' the choice of Auckland-based Shuchi Kothari as co-screenplay writer, Nandita said, "I was looking for somebody with in-depth knowledge and understanding of the situation, somebody who would share my values and concerns. A typical Bollywood writer would have been out of place here."

At the recent Telluride Film Festival, where 'Firaaq' had its world premiere, the film struck an instant chord. "After the three pre-scheduled shows, the film had an additional screening on popular demand," she said.
      
In Toronto, too, Firaaq has earned rave reviews and a strong audience response. The film is now due to travel to Vancouver, Pusan, London, Dubai and Cairo.
 
"I want Firaaq to reach out to people," Nandita said. "I haven't made it for the already converted. It is targeted essentially at those with deep communal prejudices on both sides of the divide. I want to engage with them."
      
The producers of the film, Percept Picture Company (PPC), will handle the domestic distribution of Firaaq. "I am grateful to them for giving me no-strings-attached support," Nandita said.
 
"I went to Shailendra Singh (PPC managing director) and asked him to back a film that he would have no control over. He readily agreed once he was convinced about my belief in the idea," she added.