Reza Noorani (BOMBAY TIMES; October 12, 2018)

National Award-winning filmmaker Pradeep Sarkar is a master when it comes to crafting stories around relationships. In his latest film Helicopter Eela, he explores the bond between a mother and son in today’s time, but he is not about to bore you with a heavy film — he touches upon the concept of helicopter parenting, with a dose of humour. In a freewheeling chat with BT, the director talks about how his relationship with his parents was not as cool as the one he now shares with his own kids and much more. Excerpts...

You have already made a mark in ad films, but the world of movies is different. So, what is it that draws you to it — the one factor that compels you to make a film?
Some idea or the other is always cooking up in my head, be it a story or its subsequent execution. The process is always on, you cannot stop that. It’s a primal instinct. So, you search for stories and judge whether they deserve to be told or not. Sometimes, you realise that you don’t want to tell a story. There are times when you overanalyse a story and there’s trouble then. But sometimes, it sticks. Eela stuck. I want to be 100 per cent sure before I make a movie. With Eela, it took a lot of time, energy and writing to come up with the first draft. And then, there were surprises which we had to incorporate, and I like surprises. Also, when you’re working with a person like Kajol, you can expect some surprises. Her spontaneity is incredible; you can’t help but use that. So, it is best to follow that and use it to make the film better. In fact, I allow every actor on my sets to surprise me with their spontaneity.

You are known for films that delve into human relationships, while Bollywood is still thriving on formulaic films, packed with death-defying stunts and item numbers. In such a scenario, how difficult has it been for you to find your space in the industry?
Who said I would not include an item number in my film? I’d love to do that. In fact, the Ruk Ruk remake (in Helicopter Eela) is in the same vein. However, I don’t look at it as an item number, I look at it as fun. When I heard the song, I was like, ‘Gosh, I have to be a part of this’. In fact, the ‘So Sexy’ voice in the song is my own. I told Raghav (Sachar, composer) to somehow make me a part of the track. I am open to all things. After all, we don’t have much time, so it’s best to enjoy as much as we can.

Helicopter Eela revolves around the concept of helicopter parenting, where a mother fails to draw the line between being protective and intrusive. Having said that, while parents were stricter in previous generations, today, many are more like friends with their children. Do you also think that the parent-child relationship has evolved over the years?
Mothers are mothers, their love won’t change. However modern you become, you will still need her shadow. But yes, I agree that the parent-child relationship has evolved now. They have become friends with their kids, rather than just being parents. Gone are the days when a parent can say, ‘I am the authority.’ If you are like that, there will never be any understanding between you and your kids. It was like that between me and my parents. I never knew my dad properly. On his deathbed, I cried like a maniac, and that’s the first time I hugged him. I was crying, because I realised how much closer we could have been. Today, there is more bonding and mutual understanding. Recently, I went for a drive with my son and he was at the wheel. I was on the edge in the beginning, but later on, I relaxed. The acceptance that he has grown up and that I should take it easy is important. The happiness this kind of parenting gives you is unimaginable. Earlier, people would die without knowing what their kids or parents want. Now, when kids and parents miss each other, they are vocal about it. My daughter, who studies in the US, speaks with me now more than ever, because she misses me and I miss her, too. It is such a fantastic feeling. Our relationships are emotionally rich now.

In a lighter vein, as the trailer of your film shows, mothers are still obsessive about packing your food dabba. That doesn’t seem to have evolved...
Yes, that will never change and it should not. My daughter called my wife the other day and said, ‘Ma, can you please send me some samosas?’ My wife was like, ‘Go away!’ So, the dabba is an assurance that your mom is with you. It is not just about the food; a lot of love goes into it. And if food does not have any love in it, then it’s a complete waste. There is no taste then.