Writer Mrunmayee Lagoo talks about her debut, the Anubhav Sinha directorial with Taapsee Pannu, that has become talking point
MUMBAI MIRROR (February 29, 2020)

Thappad, your first movie as a writer has finally hit the screens. How has the overall response been?
I truly believe that this appreciation is largely because of the subject chosen and the argument that has been put across. Of course, there is appreciation for how it has been handled, portrayed, written and all of that, but I think Anubhav sir has come up with one stellar topic and made a really compelling argument.

Were you skeptical about the subject before taking it up?
When Anubhav sir first told me about the idea, the story he had in mind, I was instantly hooked. There was absolutely no question in my mind that this is something that I’m going to do, I want to do. The only questions I had were about how are we going to achieve this absolutely simple story with such a huge message. How are we going to write it in a way that it comes across — it has that impact, it resonates with people, doesn’t feel preachy. So, all the questions in my mind were more to do with crafting of it.

A strong word of praise from Aamir Khan certainly speaks volumes. Which other compliments really inspired you?
I began my journey in the film industry with 3 Idiots, as an assistant, and from there I’ve worked with Aamir sir a lot on his movies and have interacted with him. So, when someone like him makes this gesture, it’s very encouraging for me. At a particular screening, several women gave me tight hugs, I think those were huge compliments because whatever we’ve tried to write, whatever has come across, I feel like that has hit home somewhere. One of the biggest compliments came from Anubhav Sinha, my director and co-writer. From the day I met him when he first told me the idea, he’s always been incredibly vocal about my contributions. I got to learn so much from him. His honesty and fairness speak a lot about him and for new writers like me, it is very encouraging to work with someone like him.

With critics lauding the movie for its writing, do you think writers are eventually getting their credit?
Yes, writing should be credited and given its due. I firmly believe that and we are getting there. Thappad has got a thunderous response and this is the testimony.
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Anubhav on the write path

How does it feel to see people discuss direction and writing of the film over everything else?
It’s so rare that in a mainstream Bollywood film you have writing being discussed in like every review and forget reviews, even responses from the audience. It is so heartwarming that in a film which is so simple, people can actually notice the simplicity and talk about it. It’s wonderful