Preeti Singh had assumed that making her first feature film would be a smooth ride, considering she previously co-directed the popular show Meri Awaaz Hi Pehchaan Hai featuring Amrita Rao and helmed several ads and short films. However, reality hit her hard when she set out to make Aliya Basu Gayab Hai. As the Raima Sen, Salim Diwan, and Vinay Pathak-starrer hit theatres on Friday, the director recalls how it was tough for her to get the project rolling in the sexist industry.

“Even though I have directed more than 45 to 50 commercials and worked with actors like [late] Sushant Singh Rajput, Mouni [Roy], and Jacqueliene [Fernandez], producers would say nice things to my face, but gossip behind my back when I presented my script to them. They never shared their numbers with me. Later, I realized they are not sharing their contact information with me because I am a woman. I understood the game slowly because I am an outsider,” recalls Singh.

She then roped in a male assistant director, hoping that would change things. “I’d take my male assistant director with me for meetings. These producers gave him their numbers, so I communicated via him.”

Aliya Basu Gayab Hai is a psychological exploration of human nature and sexuality, as it tells the story of three people. For her maiden feature, she deliberately made a thriller to make a larger point. “[It could show] that though stereotyped to be engaged in rom-coms, women can also create dark thrillers and actioners,” she states.

Singh says she faced another obstacle when the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) gave the film an ‘A’ certificate after chopping two pivotal scenes.

“There is a brutal scene of a girl being kidnapped, which was supposed to terrify the audience. The Board said, ‘Being a woman, how can you picturise another woman like that?’ But in my films, you will always feel the female gaze. The male gaze would’ve shown the scene in a different way. Maybe the female gaze wasn’t comfortable and that’s why the board removed it. [When they] gave me the reason behind the cut, I told them, I’ll make a rom-com next. We are hoping that the OTT platforms will allow us to release those scenes. If you cut out the main [scene], you will never feel the lead’s angst.”

AURON MEIN KAHAN DUM THA, ULAJH FLOP BADLY; NEW HOLLYWOOD RELEASE, LAILA MAJNU MIGHT SURPRISE

Last week’s releases, Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha and Ulajh, had a horrible performance in cinemas, sending shockwaves in the industry. Everyone expected Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha to have a tough time but the hope was that it would open more than Sarfira (Rs. 2.50 crores) or in the same range. However, it opened at just Rs. 1.65 crores. Now, it was crucial for the film to have a 100% jump on Saturday. It would have not made the film a hit but at least, it would have had a respectable lifetime. Sadly, word of mouth was very poor. Hence, it collected Rs. 1.75 crores on Saturday and Rs. 1.85 crores on Sunday. It’s holding at around Rs. 55 lakhs on the weekdays and will have the first week collections of just Rs. 7.25 crores. Ideally, this should have been the first-day earnings of the film!

It now remains to be seen if Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha manages to cross the Rs. 10 crore mark. Ulajh, meanwhile, opened at just Rs. 1.15 crores. It jumped to Rs. 1.65 crores on Saturday and by collecting Rs. 1.95 crores on Sunday, it edged past Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha’s third-day collections. Ulajh is now collecting around Rs. 50 lakhs on the weekdays and will collect around Rs. 6.25-6.50 crores in the first week.

The holdover releases like Deadpool & Wolverine, Bad Newz etc. aren’t collecting as much and hence, it’s a tough time for theatres. To tide over this bad time, the Multiplex Association of India is once again celebrating Cinema Lovers Day on Friday, August 9. As part of this celebration, the tickets will be sold for Rs. 99 on Friday and Rs. 199 on Saturday and Sunday. Earlier, Cinema Lovers Day got a huge response but that won’t be possible this time.

Yet, a small Hollywood film will manage to bring some smiles to the exhibitors. It Ends With Us releases tomorrow with paid previews happening today. And the advance ticket sales have pleasantly surprised one and all. Usually, such small Hollywood romantic films have a very niche audience. But It Ends With Us has generated excitement. The audience is aware that tickets have lower prices over the weekends. Yet, the urgency is such that the paid previews, which have normal rates, are fast-filling. If the paid previews + day 1 collections are Rs. 1 crore, it’ll be a great result for the film and then it’ll hang around in cinemas for many weeks.

The other Hollywood release Borderlands might also get some footfalls. The new Hindi releases – Ghuspaithiya and Aliya Basu Gayab Hai – will sink without a trace.

Lastly, Laila Majnu will have a re-release tomorrow across India. It bombed badly when it was released in 2018 but over the years, it has achieved a cult status. Last week, it was released in Kashmir and drew house full crowds. Hence, it is expected to have a similar performance tomorrow, with lower ticket prices also proving to be an advantage.

Smita Poojary (DNA; September 4, 2019)

Twenty years ago, when a 17-year-old Raima Sen made a foray into films with Godmother, it was tough for her to find her bearings because she hadn’t had formal training in acting. However, projects with some of the most powerful directors in the Indian film industry, such as Aparna Sen, Rituparno Ghosh and Pradeep Sarkar, helped her hone her skills. The actress shares, “It’s been a great experience from my first film with Shabana Azmi to now.

Today, I’m a director’s actor because whatever I have learnt has been on the job, while filming.” The Bengali beauty speaks to us about why her Bollywood movies are few and far between as well as her upcoming Hindi flick, Aliya Basu Gayab Hai.

Tell us something about your movie Aliya Basu Gayab Hai...
The film explores the relationship between three people played by Vinay Pathak, Salim Diwan and me. It’s not just a regular love triangle but also involves bisexuality. Director Preeti Singh is so sorted and knows exactly what she wants. She is a to-the-point and no-nonsense kind of a lady. She was great for a debutante feature film director.

What made you say yes to the film?
It has just three characters and I’m one of the main leads, so it is a solo-heroine outing for me. I liked the story. Also, Vinay, with whom I have worked before in Kagaz Ke Fools (2015), is a great actor, which helped me bring a lot more to the table.

Even though you’ve been appreciated for your work in Bollywood, we see you in a few Hindi movies?
I was doing a lot of things in Bollywood till five years ago. Since then, I have done some brilliant Bengali films, with National-Award-winning directors and my films are winning National Awards, too. I’d rather do good projects like these in Bengal than just about any film in Bollywood. Also, because I have the backup of another industry, I don’t have to free fall and do whatever comes my way in Hindi cinema. I’ve had the privilege of choosing the best from what I get. Since the Bengali industry was giving me more lucrative offers, as well as substantial roles, I chose that for four years. But this year, you will see me in a lot of web series — three with ZEE5 and one on another platform. You will see me back in Bollywood in full swing.

Will Bollywood be your priority?
I would love to be in both industries. I can’t and won’t ignore Bengali cinema because it has made me who I’m. Of course, I’ve been caught up with Hindi projects this whole year and nothing there. However, if there is something great that comes from there, I will do it.

Is there a difference in the filmmaking process in both the industries?
Bollywood has more money and a bigger platform where there is more recovery. Comparatively, in Bengal, the returns are not that great, so the movies are made on a tighter budget. In terms of the working style, a film is a film and only the language is different.

You recently began shooting for ZEE5’s series Love. Sleep. Repeat...
I had a great time because it was a new experience for me. My co-actor Anshuman (Malhotra) is excellent, even though he is so young. It was a refreshing change for me.

What are your upcoming projects?
Apart from two Hindi web series, I have the third season of my Bengali show, Hello.

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 25, 2019)

After Badla, Anurag Kashyap’s next with Taapsee Pannu and Rahul Dholakia’s untitled film with Kriti Sanon, another thriller is set to hit the marquee. Filmmaker Preeti Singh’s Aliya Basu Gayab Hai is a romantic thriller that features Vinay Pathak, Raima Sen and Salim Diwan.

It tackles different sexual orientations and complexities of human emotions. Preeti, who shot the film in two schedules in February and April, says, “We talk about how difficult society can be for people who identify as gay and lesbian, whose love has only been perceived in the context of sex. There is no difference between members of this community and heterosexuals. They feel emotions arising from vulnerabilities as well.”

She met Salim during a shoot. “He plays a drug peddler struggling with life choices. Vinay sir plays Vivek, an ex-cop. It’s a dark character. Initially I’d thought he wouldn’t want to do it, but he just went for it. When I met Raima, I instantly knew she was my Aliya,” Preeti informs.

She reveals that Vinay suffered an injury while shooting for an action scene. “He hurt his back with an iron rod. This film needs a lot of physical acting so I thought he wouldn’t be able to shoot but he has delivered a delightful performance,” she signs off.