Shoojit Sircar has been working from Kolkata for almost a year now. He went to the city in March, around the time the lockdown was announced, and from the release of his Amitabh Bachchan, Ayushmann Khurrana-starrer Gulabo Sitabo to co-ordinating the post-production of his next, Sardar Udham Singh, Shoojit has done all important meetings through video calls. As the director, who has helmed films like Piku and October, prepares to return to Mumbai, he speaks to us about working from home, his upcoming projects, releasing his film online and more. Excerpts:

I was working from home in Kolkata. In the last one year, we released Gulabo Sitabo and worked on other projects through online meetings and video calls. I am currently working on the post production of Sardar Udham Singh. We are midway through the film. Also, I’ll be going back to Mumbai this month, after almost a year, and the next few months will be heavy for us since the film will release this year. We will be able to decide the date by March.

Yes, it (Sardar Udham Singh) will be released in theatres as many cinema halls have reopened now. People have started going back to the halls. We are hoping that other films releasing in theatres in the coming months will show us the way.

We are discussing a few projects and I’m working on a couple of scripts. The plan is on for a few new films. I cannot shoot in a very constrained environment and hence, haven’t started shooting yet. It has to be freeflowing. I am not in any hurry. Now that the vaccine is out, I think things are moving in a positive direction and I can resume shooting. Shooting a film requires a personal touch and close proximity. I am sure we will be able to get back there soon.

Films are meant to be watched in cinema halls but this was an unusual scenario for all of us. We had not planned to release it on OTT, but the situation left us with no choice. I know there was a lot of debate. It made many in the fraternity unhappy. But I had no option at that moment. Also, there is a financial aspect to it. There is a large team of almost 180 to 200 people whose survival is dependent on the film. For filmmakers like us who make one film a year and run a production company, it is important to get financial support. By releasing the film, we made sure the entire team could survive the lockdown blow. So, I think I made the right decision at that time. It was my first time and I enjoyed the journey. I always say, I took the bullet first (laughs!). After that quite a few films were released online.

Theatrical release involves a certain amount of pressure — from the industry angle, about box office collections and so on. If a film is released on OTT, it becomes more accessible without any such pressure. It is there in everybody’s living room. OTT is a big medium now.

I have been working here for more than 15 years and this has always existed. I have seen several ups and downs. Initially, there were individual producers. Then came the corporate houses. Polarisation happens everywhere. It is important to know where you are standing and what you want to do as an individual. Many people say that it is easy for me since I worked with so many stars. But in the beginning, I even worked with newcomers. I have always stood my ground. I handled the finances and also the prejudices to make sure I do the kind of films I want to do on my own terms.