First-time director Shilpi Dasgupta explains why she chose the actress for her film on sex education
MUMBAI MIRROR (August 1, 2019)

What prompted you to make a film on sex education?
I wanted to make my first film on the need of the hour. When we (Mrighdeep Singh Lamba and I) heard the story for the first time from Gautam (Mehra, writer), I just knew this is the story I want to tell. I grew up in Bhopal, and it is not what it is right now. It had these sex clinics being advertised on so many walls, and I always had some curiosity to get to know what is up with that side, but never got any convincing answers.

We’re telling this story with a lot of fun and humour, asking people to shed their shyness and talk about it. Population explosion, sex-related crimes are already active time bombs for India. Sex education is the only solution to the problem, but it will be effective only if we stop shying away from talking about it and repressing it.

We’ve made this film to kick-start a discussion on sex in India, making this a dining table conversation. For that we have approached the issue in a way that it does not sound preachy, and is entertaining for all the members of the family.

Was Sonakshi always the first choice?
Isn’t Sonakshi simply the best? She’s a talent house. Her films have always been family entertainers. To get this topic to be discussed within families, we wanted to have a household name associated with the film. She is much more than just a pretty face. Her face has a softness that gives positive vibes. We wanted people to see the girl-next-door running a sex clinic. But yeah, hats off to her, it takes a lot of guts to go around at a live street location, shouting the sexual disorders with a board just behind her back which has SEX written in bold letters. It would have been really difficult if Sonakshi wasn’t this brave.

Do you think the film will be able to bring a positive change in the society?
I don’t know if it will bring about a change or not but that’s not the point. The point is, are we ready to give ourselves a chance to enjoy a subject like this or not—see humour in our own lives and the way we live. We are a funny lot, highly emotional too, and so is this film. It’s a funny, emotional journey of a beautiful young mind that aspires to break free and ask questions. I hope the film strikes the right chord, touches hearts but also opens minds.

How would you like to describe the journey of your directorial debut?
I haven’t really got time to even think about it. It is really very overwhelming to have my debut film in the form of Khandaani Shafakhana. It has content that I want to share with everyone, and the issue for which I stand for. It has the perfect cast, including Sonakshi Sinha, Varun Sharma, Annu Kapoor, Nadira Babbar, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Priyansh Jora, who’s debuting with this film. And the very exciting debut of Badshah as an actor. I am so thankful to Mrigh (Mrigdeep Singh Lamba), Mahaveer ji (Mahaveer Jain) and Bhushan ji (Bhushan Kumar), who have supported the vision completely. The whole team of Khandaani Shafakhana made my debut as a director, a dream come true.

Gulshan Kumar and T-Series present, Khandaani Shafakhana, a Sundial production. Produced by Bhushan Kumar, Mahaveer Jain, Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, Divya Khosla Kumar, directed by Shilpi Dasgupta, the film is all set to release tomorrow.