Shoojit Sircar- Meet The Person

Shoojit Sircar is one of the Directors, who have created a new air in the kind of cinemas Bollywood was offering to its audience. He has always touched upon concepts which were never talked about or were so casual that they were ignored but still the movies grabbed a huge success at the box-office. With his recent hit ‘Piku’ being played at 10th edition of Habitat Film Festival, we had an opportunity to know about how this man works:

How hard is it to make a movie which is a blend of art and commercial?

Making a movie isn’t hard but not an easy task as well because there are thousands of people giving you advices on what to do and what not to, because of which it is easy to get diverted. However, Vicky Donor gave me a confidence that audience is receptive of new genre/concepts. I believe that even industry never trusted in art films but it is now that directors are testing audience and getting the results back.

I never thought that Vicky Donor would be a huge success at the box office because when we did a research, you would not believe that 70% of the people we asked didn’t know what sperm meant and similar was the case with ‘Piku’ because in this movie we have a person who constantly nags about his problems and talks only about his constipation which gets over board at times, but still people have loved it.

“People call me infotainment Director; I don’t know what it means.”

According to you, what does being liberal mean?

Liberal is not being open about what you do in your life or the kind of clothes you wear but what are your insights and philosophy in life. Like in Piku, Bhaskar (character of Amitabh Bachchan) is very rooted and traditional but his thoughts about women and virginity are quite liberal.

What excites you about the industry right now?

Anurag Kashyap, Imitaiz Ali, Karan Johar, R.Balki etc. these Directors are coming up with new ideas and going against conventional Cinema but still entertaining people. These directors are giving the industry a new turn and it is very exciting.

So, is your attempt of making movie which talks about complex topics or very casual topics intentional?

No, it is not intentional. If the subject steers me and I visualize that I can make a film which will not bore the audience, I go for it.

How do you get ideas?

I collect a lot. In life you keep meeting people, read a lot of things, see a lot of things etc. So, I keep collecting it and then before the discussion we pour out everything and take whatever is required. I believe in Delhi, every person is a character; he or she is so distinguished that I can recognise them the very moment they talk to me.

What is your style of making movie?

I have learnt my basics and foundation from theatre. N K Sharma has been my mentor and a father who has taught me everything in terms of acting and drama. I do not have any formula of making a movie because I change my way of working with every new movie. I get my inspiration from day to day life and just try to replicate in on screen. I don’t like to weave a lot of drama but believe in keeping things simple.

How would you like to spend your day if not working?

If I don’t have anything to do in Mumbai, I run away to Kolkata where I have my daughters. I want to spend day like any other father would- take my kids to school, go to fish market and buy vegetables, cook food and play football.

Who according to you is a good Director?

It depends on what success means to the person. If money is a consideration then we have many names in industry but for me, I have to love my film. So, if I love my film I am sure audience would love it too.

So, you make movie for your own self?

Yes, I only take my words over my film. Nothing else.

How are you as a Director?

I give space to the actors to be who they are. I don’t create pressure- if we want to work, we work and if we don’t want to work we don’t. I try and create a family like environment.

If not a director, what would you be?

I would be a footballer.

Any message to the upcoming actors?

Read your scripts a lot. That’s what I tell even to my actors that one should read their scripts every day before they go to sleep.