Showing posts with label Richie Mehta. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Richie Mehta. Show all posts
Delhi Crime, Poacher fame Richie Mehta's next based on dacoit-turned-politician Phoolan Devi’s life
8:19 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; January 30, 2025)
What’s Richie Mehta making next? The eager question follows the release of each of his works, from the International Emmy-winning Delhi Crime (2019) to the investigative thriller Poacher (2024). mid-day has learnt that the acclaimed filmmaker will capture the life of Phoolan Devi in his next web series, casting for which is underway.
A source reveals, “The script was locked last month. Richie has been talking to several actors from mainstream and indie cinema for Phoolan’s role. He is primarily looking for an actor who can carry the weight of her story from her young years to the end. A Bollywood actor, who fronts a popular web series, recently auditioned for the part, performing a jail sequence, but Richie wants to look at more options.”
Phoolan Devi’s journey not only stands for a woman’s rebellion, but also reflects the struggles of the oppressed caste and misogyny in India. Born into the oppressed Mallah caste, she was married off at 11 to a much older man. In the following years, she faced a series of brutal encounters—from being jailed on false charges, to being raped and tortured by the police, and ultimately pushed into the life of a bandit. She eventually led a gang of dacoits in the Chambal ravines.
After the 1981 Behmai massacre, where 22 Thakur men were executed in an act of retribution following her gang-rape by upper-caste dacoits, she became a symbol of caste and gender resistance. After surrendering in 1983 and serving 11 years in prison, she joined politics and was a Parliament member for the Samajwadi Party until her assassination in 2001.
Three decades ago, her life was brought on celluloid with Bandit Queen (1994). The source adds, “Through Phoolan’s story, Richie will explore themes of caste oppression, misogyny, and the limits of justice.” The series is expected to roll in August.
We e-mailed Mehta, who didn’t respond till press time.
An A list actor might receive better treatment, while others don’t. Everyone should be treated equally-Kani Kusruti
9:15 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; January 4, 2025)
Kani Kusruti says she is happiest at home with her plants in Goa, practicing the sitar - a routine that got disrupted due to the year-round celebrations of All We Imagine As Light and Girls Will Be Girls, two internationally critically acclaimed films she was part of this year.
Kani says, "I think this is mostly the first time I felt there was more celebration than work. I feel it’s very disproportionate in terms of celebration - it’s like too much celebration. I’ve never had a year like this."
'Like in every field, in cinema, I think sometimes people get picked up by chance rather than the most deserving ones'
Kani shares, "I will honestly say, I don't think acting is really my cup of tea. I just happened to become an actor at a young age, and I ended up practicing it and continuing with it. I have many fellow actors and colleagues from Kerala, theater, and elsewhere who are way more talented, passionate about acting, and hardworking than I am. But, like in every field, especially in cinema, I think sometimes people get picked up by chance rather than the most deserving ones."
She continues, "Payal is a really nice person, a good director, and it was a great team. So, I loved working on Payal's film. Some projects come along like that, and I feel truly happy about the way we work together. But when I talk to other actors, I know they feel very happy just acting alone, just being able to play a character - they're genuinely happy. I don't have that kind of happiness. For me, happiness comes when the team is great or when we enjoy the process. I find joy in other things, like the stories we tell, not necessarily in my character."
"I thought maybe Payal reached out to me for a diploma film at FTII, didn't know it was feature film." Payal contacted Kani Kusruti for the film when she was studying at FTII. Over the years, Kani has seen different drafts of All We Imagine As Light. Payal initially offered her younger part and years later when the project was finalized she ended up doing the elder nurse role."
Today, it's understandable when someone is excited to work with Grand Prix winner Payal Kapadia. But back then, when she was just a film school student, what was it about her that made you look forward to working with her? Kani says, "It was not so much about the character for me. Why should women bear the burden of making only good films and proving themselves constantly? They should be able to make bad films too."
Kani has worked with many female directors. She says that she didn’t plan it; it just naturally happened. She says, "I’m just very happy every time it’s a female director - I feel a different kind of happiness. Maybe it’s because I’m a woman in India, and when I see female directors coming up, I already feel a sense of joy. It’s like, 'Oh, who is she? How is she thinking?' You also feel a little safer and that you can express yourself. I’m not saying all women directors are always going to be nice and amazing- not necessarily. In fact, true diversity will come when more women enter the field. Then, we’ll have all kinds of films - even bad films - made by women. Why should women bear the burden of making only good films and proving themselves constantly? They should be able to make bad films too, just like everyone else."
Kani says that the female directors who have helmed projects in the last 10 years, whether in commercial cinema or other sections, have really paved their own paths by putting in a lot of work on themselves. She says, "I believe these women are slightly exceptional in some way, which is why they’ve reached where they are today. It’s not an easy journey. They’ve worked hard, and some may have had certain privileges, but they’ve earned their place."
She says, "I’m sure male gazes and patriarchal perspectives may sometimes come from female directors too. Most female directors I’ve worked with have been kind, collaborative, and understanding. They created environments where we felt safe. And it’s not just about female directors - the sets are often run by women. Right now, we mostly talk about two genders, women and men, but there are many genders. When the industry becomes more inclusive of all genders, I think everyone will feel safe. I believe all artists, regardless of gender, have to work hard on themselves to create a healthy workspace. I consider myself fortunate that most of the male directors I’ve worked with were also good, with only a few exceptions where I felt the working environment wasn’t healthy. Most of the male and female directors I’ve collaborated with have had good spirits. However, there have been instances where I worked with female directors and felt that the workspace wasn’t ideal. So, it’s not exclusive to one gender. Creating a positive and healthy working environment is everyone’s responsibility."
Often luxuries take away from ensuring that other crew members get enough rest
What does she mean by a healthy working space? Kani explains, "What I meant by a healthy workspace is that there are often different kinds of abuses that happen- taking people for granted, exploiting their time excessively, underpaying them, making them work overtime, not providing proper contracts, or verbal abuses that sometimes occur during shooting. We have many such practices in India. I understand that someone may get angry once during a 60-day shoot. People are under stress - that much I can understand. Everyone is human. But when such behaviour becomes a habit is what is a problem. For example, an A-list actor might receive better treatment, while others don’t. Everyone should be treated equally. That’s what I meant by a healthy workspace."
Kani says that it is normal that people may occasionally misbehave, but that’s not the only issue. There are entrenched hierarchical and unethical practices in workspaces that need to be removed. She shares that fortunately, the next generation is already bringing in new ideas, and she is hopeful things will change. However, even when people don’t intend to misbehave, bad workspace practices and lack of resources can lead to stress-induced behaviors, like shouting. She says that’s why she believes the resources of a film should be allocated properly, not just for stars. Sometimes, the allocation feels excessive - for instance, spending disproportionately on entourages.
She says, "I understand the need for one or two assistants in some cases, but often, these luxuries take away from ensuring that people, like those in lighting crews, get adequate rest. These crew members often sleep the least, leave last, and arrive first."
Kani shares, "We have a history of bad practices; how to change it, I don't know. For example, in Kerala, they are trying to have an ICC (Internal Complaints Committee), but what kind of power it can have depends on whether people are willing to consciously change and whether producers are willing to put the money in the right places to establish good ethics and practices, such as ensuring people get enough rest. Are we able to allocate money in a way that we can give everyone an ample amount of rest, proper conveyance, and good food? In Hindi projects that I’ve been a part of, I see there are different eating places. Actors eat in a separate mess with specific catering, technicians have a different one, and daily-wage artists who work on the film have another buffet. I don't understand this. It's unbelievable. That disparity is so clearly visible, even in the food. So, we have to work a lot to achieve equality and treat everyone with equality."
Kani on her directors
Payal Kapadia, All We Imagine As Light
Payal was completely different. At the location, we were just trying to remake what we had achieved all day in the rehearsals. It was more like a theater production. Before going to the location, we already knew everything. Payal shot all that rehearsal on camera. Then she also edited it to see how it looked. So, she already made a film, which looked very similar, sometimes even with the actual costumes. Sometimes, it wasn't the actual actor, but another actor playing the role. We all felt we knew how the film was turning out because she made everyone involved in the film - like an equal collaborator
Shuchi Talati, Girls Will Be Girls
We would first rehearse, then every department would watch it. Everyone would know what the actors are going to do. Everybody is part of it. Then everyone would prep for the scene, right there, and then we would shoot the scene. Also, Shuchi had a completely different interpretation of the characters. The same dialogues were said with completely different intentions. So, I was very curious to watch Girls Will Be Girls finally because I was like, which Anila is coming out? I was also curious Is it the Anila close to the script, or the Anila that was discovered on the set? Shuchi made Anila different on set. She interpreted Anila very differently on set, so that was very interesting.
Richie Mehta, Poacher
Richie is not much of a rehearsal kind of person. He'd rehearse a bit on the spot but doesn't really fix the performance exactly how he wants it. He also goes with the spontaneity and what the actor brings to the scene. Most of my scenes in Richie's series were shot with handheld cameras. So, the DOP (Director of Photography) had a free-flowing approach, following the actor's movements. The DOP also chooses which parts to focus on, and sometimes it's not your face; it might be yourzfingers or what your hands are doing. This approach brings out a different kind of performance.
"It’s one for generations": Harman Baweja on distributing Rajinikanth-Amitabh Bachchan's Vettaiyan
9:43 AM
Harman, who is prioritizing production over acting at this stage, says Bachchan-Rajinikanth casting coup made him turn Vettaiyan’s distributor
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; October 8, 2024)
Vettaiyan is one of those rare films that have brought Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth together on screen. Fans are not the only ones excited to see the two legends together 33 years after Hum (1991). Actor-producer Harman Baweja says their reunion was a big reason why he came on board to distribute the film’s Hindi version.
“It’s a once-in-three-decade phenomenon. It’s one for generations to watch,” exclaims Baweja. T J Gnanavel’s directorial prowess assured Baweja that the action drama, also starring Fahadh Faasil and Manju Warrier, would be a solid cinematic experience
“I had watched T J Gnanavel’s Jai Bhim [2021] and knew this director was special. He is a solid storyteller,” he says.
After making his acting debut with Love Story 2050 (2008) and starring in a few forgettable films, Baweja made an acclaimed comeback to the screen with Scoop last year. But he is clear that acting isn’t his top priority now.
“The focus is Baweja Studios. That is where I am at, for the next few months,” says the producer, who is collaborating with Richie Mehta on his next film, Boy From Andaman. “Collaborating with Richie has been brilliant. He has one of the strongest visions as a filmmaker. I remember watching Delhi Crime [2019] and going, ‘Wow! Who’s this guy?’ The idea is to make a film that’s Indian at heart, but with a creator like Richie, it has the legs to travel internationally.”
Poacher is a non polarizing issue; nobody wants to see an elephant get shot in the head-Richie Mehta
2:27 PM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; June 18, 2024)
Five years after Delhi Crime, Richie Mehta returned with another web series this year – Poacher, a wildlife crime story based on real-life heroes. At the Mumbai International Film Festival (MIFF), Richie Mehta spoke about why he chose to narrate these stories of real-life heroes.
“Delhi Crime was very important to me, especially as an NRI. It’s a very low-hanging fruit for someone like me to observe a problem in India and then highlight it. I think it’s actually bullsh*t; it’s not my right to do that. I’m benefiting as an NRI, in an environment like Canada, where I can set my sights on something and achieve it. So, for me, it’s like I owe it to give back to this place. If I can take stories where the world has certain prejudices against India and turn them on their head to showcase the best of humanity, then I’ll do that. That’s what Delhi Crime was about and that’s what Poacher was about.”
‘ENTERTAINMENT IS A MEANS TO AN END’
Richie shared that after watching Poacher, people have been calling him to say they were unaware of how their grandmother had that bangle or a piece of decor carved from ivory in their house. Talking about why he decided to make the series, Richie said, “Without getting into controversy, we live in a very polarizing world. Poacher, however, was an issue that was non-polarizing. Nobody wants to see an elephant get shot in the head. I saw this and thought there are people who seem to be working tirelessly (to stop poaching).”
In response to a question on whether crime is his favourite genre, Richie shared, “I’m not much of a true crime person. I don’t watch true crime shows, although there are films that I’ve seen and really loved. I am using true crime as a device to talk about things that might not otherwise be interesting to the audience. So I am using every trick in the entertainment book to reach them.”
He added, “Personally, I believe that entertainment is a means to an end, not the end itself. That is not to say there aren’t wonderful films out there, which I also enjoy watching, but that’s not something I want to do. I would much rather do corporate videos for NGOs than make a film that I don’t like.”
‘AFTER DELHI CRIME I HAD LEVERAGE, AND I DECIDED TO USE IT ON WILDLIFE CRIME’
Richie shared that among the projects he is currently working on there is a tiger trail story. Doesn’t he want to tell human stories, he was asked. “These are human stories; animals are not watching these shows. The amount of human drama involved is astounding. It’s incomprehensible what human beings are capable of, and there are people working to stop those crimes. I’m interested in very big stories that get to the heart of what we are capable of as a species. My journey is taking me to all sorts of places. I’ll be very lucky if I get to keep going.”
Richie shared that after Delhi Crime, he was offered hundreds of crime stories, military stories, big-budget stories. But he said no to all of them. “I thought, I have leverage, and I’m going to use it on wildlife crime. Let’s run with it and see what happens. I’m a big believer in taking that gamble when I’m in that position.”
Elaborating further on his choice of the stories, Richie said, “I have ten projects now, working on different things most of them are wildlife-related… As an NRI, I am not interested in telling local stories because local filmmakers can tell them better.”
‘I love researching and writing a lot, I don’t want to give it up’
Richie said that he has never used a writer’s room for any of his projects. “I have witnessed writer’s rooms before, and sometimes it’s dangerous because it is so much fun. It’s very easy to lose your way. At the end of the day, you might think it was the best creative experience, but a month later, you realize you’re far off from the point you started and are in a different world now. I think writer’s rooms are most successful with comedy because the intention of comedy is a kind of sophisticated diversion. I love researching and writing a lot, and I don’t want to give it up.”
Delhi is more similar to London than Kerala-Richie Mehta
7:49 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; May 20, 2024)
Emmy-winning Delhi Crime director Richie Mehta spoke at a session titled, Abundant Incentives and Seamless Facilitations – Come, Create in India, at the Bharat Pavilion at Cannes. He discussed why the perception and gaze of the kind of films India makes is changing at film festivals like Cannes.
Richie remarked that he believes what has evolved in India is the willingness of filmmakers to explore a variety of narratives and to make films about their own experiences.
He shared that over the past 20 years, there has been an expansion in the number of filmmakers who are making films about their personal experiences and perspectives.”
“I think what has changed in India is the number of filmmakers willing to take chances on narrative. Those making films about their experiences have expanded exponentially in the last 20 years. My experience of working in India for the last 22 years is that anyone who says that I know India is lying because it is only their version of India,” he added.
Richie shared that through his experiences of filming in India across locations he started realizing that there are filmmakers who are changing the perception of Indian cinema through their films. He also spoke about the opportunities that are currently available for filmmakers such as co-productions and film shoot facilitation.
‘Delhi is more similar to London than Kerala’
Talking about his experience of filmmaking in India, Richie said, “Having done a project in Delhi (Delhi Crime), I then went to the jungle for a year and a half to shoot another project (Poachers). There, I realized that the urban experience in India is entirely different. Delhi is more similar to London than Kerala.”
I focused on what I can do to amplify Poacher’s reach-Alia Bhatt
8:30 AM
Impressed by Richie Mehta’s impactful narrative about ivory poaching, Alia says she became Poacher’s exec producer to take it to wider audience
Priyanka Sharma (MID-DAY; February 22, 2024)
On Richie Mehta’s Poacher, Alia Bhatt serves as an executive producer. “It’s a fancy word,” she laughs, not one to care about jargon. Bhatt’s role is etched out in her mind—put simply, she is throwing her might behind a story that struck a chord with her. “I responded to the show on a personal level. My first feeling was, ‘Wow,’” she smiles.
With Poacher, creator-director Mehta of Delhi Crime (2019) fame has turned his attention to the rampant ivory poaching in Kerala, crafting an investigative thriller that features Nimisha Sajayan, Roshan Mathew, and Dibyendu Bhattacharya. While Bhatt turned producer in 2022 with Darlings, the Amazon Prime Video offering marks her series debut.
“It’s a first of its kind for me and Eternal Sunshine Productions. We are [mostly] developing projects from scratch; this is the first where we have come in at a later stage. At the end of the day, you want people to see the story, and what’s most important is whether you can contribute to it in any way. [Executive producing] is backing and putting your voice, time and energy in content that you believe in. Here, because I wasn’t part of it since its inception, [I focused on] what I can do to amplify the show’s reach.”
Backing Poacher was a no-brainer for Bhatt, owing to its impactful storytelling. Plus, it united her with Mehta, a filmmaker with whom she has been keen to collaborate. “There is [powerful] storytelling that Richie has put in the show. Plus, the cause it speaks about hits the spot. Stories like these should be told in an entertaining way so that everyone can consume them. Crime is the most watched genre globally. To weave a story like this within the genre of crime is not easy. Poacher plays out like a crime show. Audiences need an emotional hook, which Richie gives them.”
Many times I would get saluted as people didn’t know I was an actor and not a cop-Shefali Shah
8:31 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; September 30, 2023)
Shefali Shah talks about her character in Delhi Crime, Vartika Chaturvedi, as if she’s a real person. She admits that she is obsessed with Vartika, possessive about her, and genuinely believes that such a character comes only once in a lifetime. She says that the character brought her recognition and appreciation – from viewers, police officers and IPS aspirants alike. Now, she has been nominated for the International Emmy Awards for Best Performance by an Actress category for her role in Delhi Crime Season 2. In a chat with us, she decodes her favourite character that brought her the Emmy nod.
‘I FEEL HONOURED WITH THE REACTIONS THAT I HAVE GOT’
Shefali says that she has been bowled over by the appreciation her character in the series has received. Recalling an incident, she shares, “When I was shooting and was in uniform, many times I would get saluted because they didn’t know I was an actor and not a cop.”
She continues, “I was at an event somewhere outside Baroda, and the Commissioner of Police was there, who said, ‘Thank you for portraying cops the way you did because we have our own troubles and fights.’ It’s really amazing how the series touched people’s lives. I received messages, ‘I took the IPS exam and failed, but after watching Delhi Crime, I’m reappearing for it. I want to be like Vartika.’ I’m honoured.”
‘THIS ROLE REALLY CHANGED MY LIFE’
In an earlier interview, Shefali had said, “Vartika will be with me even when I’m old. She changed my life. What she and Delhi Crime did to my career, all these years of work had not.”
Elaborating on this, she says, “I have received appreciation, but that was not translating into the kind of work I wanted to do. Also, in films, there are heroes, heroines, and villains; they don’t know what to do with the other actors. And this was an amazing opportunity. This was a real incident (Delhi Crime Season 1 is based on the Nirbhaya case) that was very painful; a story that had to be told. And there was a director (Richie Mehta) who wanted to tell this story. This role really changed my life.”
She continues, “It was after this role that I started getting primary and central characters. Also, my way of working changed when I started working in Delhi Crime. This character really changed a lot of things. It was all thanks to Delhi Crime. It has taken me a lifetime to reach here.”
‘EVERY TIME I GO IN FRONTOF THE CAMERA IT’S LIKE THE FIRST TIME’
The actress says, “When I start working on a project, it’s like my first day of shooting when I started years ago. The need to excel, the urge to give it my all, hard work, passion, blood and sweat, that still exists. I never take any of it for granted. For me, every project and every time I go in front of the camera, it’s like the first day I’m doing it and I don’t know how to do it. I think the day I will know how to do it, that would be my downfall. It helps me to learn every day.”
VARTIKA CHATURVEDI THROUGH THE EYES OF SHEFALI SHAH
Who does Shefali think Vartika Chaturvedi is? “Wow. (Pause) I think she is somebody who is ruthlessly honest. She is very critical, pragmatic. Even if she is burdened with her emotions, she knows how to do her job and not let emotions override what is required of her. I don’t think she is worried or scared about anything. In season 1, she is a hero; in season 2, she became human. She falters. When she falters, she has the sense to apologize. Her biggest strength is her vulnerability. She does break down, but she chooses to set her emotions aside and do her job. She has so many layers. You see a cop as a hero and you see a cop as a villain (on screen). But Vartika is very real. There is no caricature, there is no larger-than-life persona… People compare other characters with Vartika, but they don’t compare Vartika with anyone. I think that’s great. She has her own identity.”
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Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 30, 2023)
Actor Shefali Shah received an International Emmy nomination earlier this week. She will be contending for the Best Performance by an Actress award for her role in the second season of the web series Delhi Crime. Shah shares that she was in disbelief at first upon learning the nomination: “I couldn’t believe it. I went, ‘Are you serious?’”
Shah, who portrayed the character of tough cop Vartika Chaturvedi in both seasons, goes on to express her deep attachment to the series, stating: “I am very possessive about this show. Whether it’s creative satisfaction or love, this show keeps giving (back).”
With a string of successful projects in the recent past, such as Darlings (2022) and Human, to her credit, the 50-year-old seems to have hit a purple patch in her career. “I am happy that all the hard work and waiting I put in for years is paying off. But I am hoping I can cover more heights,” she says, adding, “This is just the beginning.”
On whether this global recognition will translate into more opportunities in India, Shah says, “I will be able to answer that question better if, after a couple of days, I am flooded with amazing offers.”
Delhi Crimes creator Richie Mehta in talks with Priyanka Chopra to show history through female gaze
11:04 AM
Sources say Delhi Crime creator Mehta in talks with Priyanka to front his series about women who led India’s freedom struggle
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; May 31, 2023)
After the ground-breaking series Delhi Crime (2019), creator Richie Mehta is now revisiting the chapter of India’s independence. His yet-untitled period drama aims to shed light on the lives of women who played pivotal roles in the Indian freedom struggle, and yet were overshadowed by prominent figures like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Mohammad Ali Jinnah. We hear the acclaimed filmmaker has initiated discussions with Priyanka Chopra Jonas to lead the series.
The idea behind creating the period drama is to study the freedom struggle through the female gaze. A source tells us, “The series will unearth their struggles, sacrifices, and triumphs. It will not only explore the contributions of Kasturba Gandhi, Sarojini Naidu and Aruna Asaf Ali, but also other female freedom fighters whose voices have often been excluded. Through their stories, viewers will gain a deeper understanding of the complex web of events that shaped India’s history. Given Priyanka’s fierce personality and ability to immerse herself into varied roles, Richie felt she’d be the best choice for the project.”
Rasika Dugal's Delhi Crime character was based on a real person who was by Nirbhaya’s bedside in the hospital-Richie Mehta
8:24 AM
From real to reel, team Delhi Crime shares what went into creating strong female characters in the OTT show
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; March 18, 2023)
In one of the scenes in Delhi Crime, DCP Vartika Chaturvedi’s junior officer proposes to take the fall for an incident at the police station, she responds, “If you take the fall, what does that say about me and our team’s competence? Just keep everyone in this building safe, or else I will shoot you myself one day. But I will stand in between you and anyone who tries to shoot you.”
While critics praised Delhi Crime for the portrayal of its women police officers, the show’s team told us in their interviews that this realistic portrayal was made possible by the actors, who spent long hours at police stations, and writer-director Richie Mehta’s years of interviewing, and observing the investigation team.
RICHIE OBSERVED POLICE STATION TO KNOW HOW COPS FUNCTION
Delhi Crime received a lot of appreciation for its portrayal of Vartika Chaturvedi (played by Shefali Shah), a character based on IPS officer Chhaya Sharma, which was unlike any other portrayal of female police officers on screen. Chhaya Sharma, who was then (during Nirbhaya investigation) DCP South, Delhi Police, and is currently posted as Joint CP EOW, Delhi Police, suggested Richie observe police stations to understand how the police department works, and he took her advice.
'NEETI SINGH WAS BASED ON A REAL PERSON'
Observing female police officers helped Richie create strong female leads. He described listening to their stories as his emotional entry point, and said, “Their experiences made me realize that not many stories from their point of view have been told. I chose to show the character of Neeti Singh (played by Rasika Dugal) for a specific reason. It was based on a real person who was by Nirbhaya’s bedside in the hospital and was then called to India Gate at the frontline during consequent protests.”
In an interview, Richie had discussed how he created the show’s strong, layered female characters, particularly the DCP. The series portrays her as an officer who never minces her words and never cuts anyone slack based on gender. The show received a thumbs-up for several reasons, including the portrayal of its protagonist as a police officer and not just a woman police officer.
'I SHADOWED AN IPS PROBATIONER FOR MY ROLE'
Rasika Dugal, whose character Neeti Singh is an IPS probationer, says, “In Season 1, I shadowed an IPS officer who was a probationer, because Neeti was at the same position.”
About her role as a female officer in command, Shefali Shah told us earlier, “A lot of research went into creating the character of Vartika Chaturvedi. For me, it was not about replicating her (Chhaya Sharma) as a person. When it came to Vartika, it was about creating a character with the same values and the same work ethic. You grab the emotion and then you create this person.”
With Delhi Crime, I don’t see the pressure as high as it is-Tanuj Chopra
8:21 AM
Picking up the baton from Richie Mehta, 'Delhi Crime 2' director Tanuj Chopra discusses steering the Emmy-winning show ahead while tackling high expectations
Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; August 9, 2022)
How do you take forward a show that has won the Best Drama Series at the Emmys? The job comes with a fair amount of pressure. But Silicon Valley-raised Tanuj Chopra, who picked up the baton from Richie Mehta, saw 'Delhi Crime 2' as a definitive next step after having helmed quite a few festival films. The obstacles were all there — the intensive research, the Coronavirus pandemic, and the high expectations. But today, Chopra feels “a sense of pride” on seeing how far the Shefali Shah and Rasika Dugal-starrer has come. In an exclusive conversation with mid-day, he walks us through the process of making the second season of the acclaimed series.
Edited excerpts from the interview.
How did Delhi Crime 2 come your way?
After Richie [Mehta] left the show, the producers were looking for a new showrunner-director to take the story and characters forward. The show is a huge hit. It has a specific style, and required a filmmaker with the [right] sensibility. The producers had seen my work over the years [through] film festivals. They asked me if I was interested in coming in and replacing Richie. I watched the show and loved it. It was an opportunity that I had to take up. To work with actors like Shefali, Rasika and Rajesh Tailang is an amazing opportunity.
Walk us through how you got started on the show.
[Netflix’s] brief was that we’ll do a new season and a new crime, but our characters will move forward. This, instead of introducing new characters. Richie had started working on the second season. The first thing I did was to take his notes, see his research and what he had come up with in the case files. After a lot of research, the goal was to give a vision of how the show could be. Then I worked with a team of writers to turn that vision into a script and screenplay.
Was the case chosen prior to you coming on board?
I took his [Mehta’s] case because that was already sold for the season. It was a case that Richie was interested in at that time.
What did your personal research entail?
We went through a lot of police files, spoke with detectives, reporters, SHOs [Station House Officers], and former DCPs. Taking case files and true crimes, and turning them into a show is a tricky thing. The hope is that all the research leads to an emotional truth that you can represent. We had built some goodwill, so people were responsive. They wanted to ensure that things are portrayed as correctly as possible.
Reports stated that Netflix was not happy with the outcome and had requested a reshoot.
Making a show is a difficult thing, sometimes things work and at other times, they don’t. The pandemic broke out in the middle of the shoot. Our production was stopped many times in the last two years. The second wave crushed a lot of things we were doing. Truth is that it has been very difficult to shoot, to work through a pandemic. At Netflix, they always love to hear what we are doing. When we finished our shoot, we had to go back and include a few more pieces. That’s all there is.
What were some of the challenges you personally faced?
How much time do you have? [laughs] Filmmaking is challenging. It has only been challenging from day one. I had to learn a new system, a new show, and its language. Then I had to work with my writers, actors, producers, and the platform. So, there were a lot of opinions to balance. To be able to incorporate everyone’s viewpoints in a way [without hampering] the vision, was tough. You are also exhausted physically, as you spend your days writing, and your nights producing. I was travelling a lot as we scouted locations.
Did you lose the drive amid the delays?
I should have, but I didn’t. I love the show and the actors, and believe in it. People think I am crazy, but things take time. They get better if you approach them slowly. I am well-suited for it.
Do you feel the pressure of making it to the Emmys?
When I started, we didn’t have the Emmy. It happened in the middle of the pandemic. Sometimes, it doesn’t strike me what the show means in India. That is a good thing. I don’t see the pressure as high as it is. I have been a filmmaker for long, and I am proud of my craft. I have a lot of excitement to show how much more the series can be.
Was there any performance that stood out for you?
Shefali Shah is a special actor and a force [to reckon with]. Her performance is strong [because] she is always emotionally present. Rasika Dugal is another dynamite performer who can do anything you ask her to do. Rajesh Tailang is a steady guy, who grounds the show with his presence. He hits the right notes every time, has a great blend of masculinity and softness. Gopal Datt, Anurag [Arora] and [the cast] are the heartbeat of our show. They found interesting ways to make their characters come to life. [That is true of] all my collaborators — visuals, music, editing. There is immense talent on display.
Having a female protagonist is no longer just an act of tokenism-Rasika Dugal
8:15 AM
Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; March 7, 2022)
The portrayal of women in cinema and on web shows has undergone a sea change, but is that enough? Rasika Dugal, who has been a part of films Qissa, Hamid and Manto along with many web series, says, “Storytelling is transforming every day, and it’s heartening to see that not only are there more important parts for women, but they are also more nuanced. Scripts are exploring and celebrating femininity. Having a female protagonist helming a show or film is no longer just an act of tokenism. However, we still have a long way to go in the way we portray female desire. Sometimes, even the most well-written scripts end up with sexualised visuals. Possibly because of deeply-ingrained references. I feel, we find it hard to break away from those.”
The actress also makes a point about feminism. She says, “Feminism isn’t limited to a particular gender and, unfortunately, neither is patriarchy. Women can be patriarchal and men can be feminists. I have been very inspired by some of the people I have worked with — Anup Singh, Mira Nair, Richie Mehta and Nandita Das — for what they bring to their work and for the people they are. I am also hugely inspired by the women I grew up with — my grandmother, mother and aunts. They’re women who made very traditional choices, but lived with the consequences of their decisions with grace and dignity. Growing up, I don’t think I valued that enough. However, later I realised the strength and resilience it took to always be there for the people around you, and in a way, that did not compromise your self-respect even though sometimes that had to be negotiated. I will always have respect for that.”
We are not ‘Simmba’ or ‘Singham’. We are normal human beings, we don’t have antennas, says Nirbhaya case officer on Delhi Crime
8:16 AM
December 16, 2020, was the eighth anniversary of the Nirbhaya incident. Chhaya Sharma, on whom Shefali Shah’s Vartika Chaturvedi was modelled in Delhi Crime – speaks about the show, police portrayal on screen, what has changed in the country post Nirbhaya and more
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; December 18, 2020)
Delhi Crime, based on the investigations that went into the brutal gang rape of Nirbhaya on December 16, 2012, leading to her subsequent death, won the best drama series at the 48th International Emmy Awards, last month.
Ever since the series has been released, Chhaya Sharma – former DCP South Delhi, who led the special investigation team that cracked the case and on whom the character of Shefali Shah’s Vartika Chaturvedi is based —has been getting calls from curious people from across the world, who have many questions for the police officer. One caller even wanted to know “if she’s for real”, while another wanted to hear just how she sounds. Yesterday — the eighth anniversary of the Nirbhaya incident — Sharma, currently posted as Director, Central Vigilance Commission in Delhi, spoke to us about the show, Delhi Crime and more.
Chhaya Sharma was not very keen on meeting (the writer-director Richie Mehta) for the show, but it was her former boss, former Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar, who convinced her.
She says, “I was initially not very keen. When I spoke to Richie for the first time, he was quite excited about the project and was ready to come to Mizoram (where she was posted then). But I told him that we’ll meet in Delhi when I’m there. Incidentally, the next time when I went to Delhi, he was there and when I met him, I found that he meant business, and he was quite serious about the project.”
Sharma says that she wasn’t initially convinced “that many would believe that it’s a positive police story of how the police detected and investigated a sensational case. However, Richie was open and was willing to tell the story from a different perspective.”
She adds, “Most of the people working on films or documentaries about the police system aren’t aware how police departments actually work and that’s why I used to tell Richie that he should go to police stations, just sit and observe how things work. I think he went to all the spots and police stations. In fact, he even went to meet doctors and visited the hospital.”
‘IT IS VERY IRRITATING TO SEE A CHARACTER IN WRONG POLICE UNIFORM’
Sharma had seen the unedited versions of Delhi Crime. She says, “Stories on police officials should be shown as how they are in real life, which is almost never the case in films. We are not ‘Simmba’ or ‘Singham’. We are not larger than life. We are not super humans. We are normal human beings, we don’t have antennas. Whatever detective skills we have, we acquire it (while working). And with due credit to Richie, he has shown the investigation right. I was also very happy that he chose Shefali for the role because she is an actor whose work I have followed,” adding, “Richie told me, ‘I chose Shefali because your eyes are similar’ (laughs).”
Not just Richie and Shefali, who sought her inputs, the costume team members of the show also used to send her photos of the police uniforms to check if they got them right. She says, “I told them that it’s the police uniform, be careful. It is very irritating to see a sub-inspector in a DIG’s uniform and a DIG in a sub-inspector’s uniform.”
‘I TOLD RICHIE TO TELL THE ACTUAL STORY’
Richie had interviewed every member of the Special Investigation Team, from the former Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar, who was also a consultant for Delhi Crime, to the sub-inspectors and constables. Sharma says, “He took my version, my ACP’s version, my inspector and sub-inspectors’ versions, and then he came with the first draft. He asked me if I wanted to have a look at it, but I was busy with my work. So I broadly told him that you have got all the versions, now tell the story as it is. I told him that this is a positive story and it should be told as such.”
Shar ma adds, “I was answerable to the victim’s family and the court. I’m not interested whether the story is told or not, but I didn’t want it to be something that it is not. Whatever is presented in a series or a movie creates a perception in the minds of the public. And it is very difficult to tell them, ‘see, it is not like that’.”
‘DELHI CRIME GOT THE ATTENTION IT DESERVED’
Sharma is happy with the way the show has been made. She says, “I was happy to note the way in which our efforts and hard work were highlighted in the series. A lot of respect was shown in the scenes related to the victim. The challenges and travails of some of our smaller teams in the fields were well captured. Some character amalgamations were done for cinematic purposes, but the efforts put in the telling the story – in its nearly original form, yet keeping all sensitivity on track – was amazing. It was a job done well.”
Talking about the characters, Sharma says, “Denzil Smith (who played Shefali’s husband in the show) never met my husband, but he played his role superbly because Richie had done his research well. Adil Hussain was superb in displaying the suave and competent Delhi CP Neeraj Kumar. Rajesh Tailang and Jaya Bhattacharya did equal justice to their characters. Most actors who spoke to me had based their work on Richie’s research and that’s why we can see an equation between characters in the series.” Richie did a careful study of the case and characters for over five years, Sharma adds.
Delhi Crime is not about the crime, but about the people who are trying to solve it-Richie Mehta
8:11 AM
Delhi Crime's Canadian director Richie Mehta responds to detractors who questioned how a series, rooted in 2012 Delhi gang rape, could be 'moment of pride' for India
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; November 30, 2020)
He may have earned a place in the hall of fame last week, but Richie Mehta says little has changed since. "I am the same person with holes in my socks, and undying love for croissants. Nothing has changed after the win; there is only gratitude," begins the creator-director of Delhi Crime, which was adjudged the Best Drama Series at the 48th International Emmy Awards.
Take him back to the big night, and Mehta vividly remembers the tension in the air — he was in a digital waiting room and led into the virtual awards ceremony only seconds before the presenter announced those two magical words, "Delhi Crime", as the winner. "It took a moment to sink in," says the Canadian writer-director, who is based in London. A spree of congratulatory calls followed. "The first call came from my parents, followed by another from my in-laws. Then we celebrated over calls with the producers, cast and crew. When I called Shefali [Shah], she was still going OMG!" Later in the night, wife Olivia and he celebrated with chocolate cookies.
In the past few days, a section of netizens wondered how the country could be celebrating the Emmy win of the series, which has its roots in the 2012 Delhi gang rape that shook the nation. Some social media users were upset that 'incidents of the horrific night' have become 'a moment of pride' for India. Mehta says, "I don't understand how people can say this. Either they have not watched Delhi Crime or misunderstood it. The series is not about the crime, but about the people, particularly the women, who are trying to solve it. It is about human beings fighting the crime on the frontlines. Since the first episode is important to hook the audience, I delved into the back-story of the characters."
The second season of the crime drama is lined up, but Mehta chooses to keep it hush-hush. He is currently developing a couple of scripts, inspired by real-life incidents. "I will continue to write on subjects I find relevant, even though I enjoy watching fun stuff." He acknowledges that the tag of Emmy winner is making him work harder on his scripts. "Earlier, I would have at least 40-50 drafts, but now I spend more time on the research and outline."
Delhi Crime had six years of work put into it, more than any other series at that time-Richie Mehta
8:11 AM
Kavita Awaasthi (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 30, 2020)
Richie Mehta can’t stop smiling ever since he heard that his directorial, Delhi Crime, won an International Emmy for the Best Drama Series. “It felt amazing and also shocking when it was announced. Since then, congratulations have been pouring in from all sides and every waking hour has been spent speaking to family, friends and well-wishers. In 2020, when there are so many other things on one’s mind, this was pleasant,” says Mehta.
The show has got recognition and acclaim on many other international platforms but an International Emmy is special for him. “An award like this means Indian talent and the messaging we want to discuss within the country and internationally is being received well. An International Emmy, to me, represents that we are in the global market and that Indian content has a big seat at the table,” he explains.
While the viewers loved the performances, story, direction and writing of the show, Mehta admits that what helped the most was the four years of research that he put in.
He shares, “Sometimes, you are lucky to work in a project that seemed to come together at every stage. It helped to have four years of prep and writing in solitude. As a result, when the show launched in March 2019, it had six years of work put into it, more than any other series at that time. There is a lot of gestation in the story and the reasons why the show should exist. I put in a lot of scrutiny on why I should do the show.”
The Netflix show was about the aftermath of the 2012 Delhi gang rape case, which starred Shefali Shah, Rasika Dugal, Adil Hussain and Rajesh Tailang among others.
The show’s win has been warmly welcomed by most but there have been reactions on social media with some people feeling that the awards celebrated a show that was about a terrible crime.
Mehta doesn’t agree. He says, “Delhi Crime is not a show about a terrible crime but how the people fought and solved the crime. Had the show been about the crime, I would have shown it, which to me is un-showable. The cops who solved the crime need to be celebrated, especially the women officers, who have so much strength.”
Delhi Crime didn’t resort to unnecessary violence, cuss words or cleverness-Adil Hussain
8:15 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 27, 2020)
Actor Adil Hussain says he was sure about Delhi Crime winning the International Emmy for Best Drama Series. And it’s because it didn’t have any unnecessary elements to make it sensational or loud.
“It was unlike any other series that came out until 2020 from India — didn’t resort to unnecessary violence, cuss words or cleverness. There was pure sensitivity for the incident that happened (2012 Delhi gang rape case), and extreme responsibility,” Hussain says.
He adds that making a show about the incident was something anybody else could have done, too, but not with the care they exercised.
“I haven’t seen any show before Delhi Crime which had all these qualities. There was a lot of craft and wisdom. People make series which only talk about darkness with no sense of aesthetics in it; that’s what has won according to me. Everybody can make a series on an incident of this scale, but would again take advantage of the violence in order to capture the so-called attention of people. It can be extremely engaging even if you don’t use words which are unnecessarily unaesthetic,” explains the 57-year-old.
However, he clarifies that he isn’t against using such language, but only when it is required.
He confirms that he will star in the second season of the web drama as well. On what made him agree to the show in the first place, Hussain says, “Richie (Mehta, director) is a dear friend, and I wanted to be in Delhi [where I live] for a few months. He approached me for this series. I told him ‘Give me a role which doesn’t have more than three-four days of shoot required in a month’, and he said the police commissioner’s part would be perfect.”
We learnt about the pressure that police personnel face; so many decisions that they have to take, say Delhi Crime actors
8:01 AM
Niharika Lal (BOMBAY TIMES; November 27, 2020)
I MET CHHAYA SHARMA FOR TWO HOURS, BUT IT WAS NOT ABOUT REPLICATING HER ON SCREEN. IT WAS ABOUT CREATING VARTIKA CHATURVEDI AS A PERSON: SHEFALI SHAH, WHO PLAYED VARTIKA CHATURVEDI, DCP SOUTH
Shefali Shah's Vartika Chaturvedi is based on Chhaya Sharma, former DCP South, who led the probe. Shefali says, “I met her just once for two hours and I had so many questions about the investigation and she graciously answered all of them. Before me, Richie had met Chhaya mam, Neeraj Kumar (the then Commissioner of Delhi Police) and other officers several times and a lot of research went into creating the character of Vartika Chaturvedi. For me, it was not about replicating Chhaya Sharma. It was about creating Vartika as a person, but with the same values and the same work ethics.”
Shefali adds, “Not just now when the series has won Emmys, but Vartika Chaturvedi has always been very close to me. It is one of the most important characters of my life. I am extremely possessive and consumed by this role, I don't think you can leave behind a character like hers.”
Shefali says that when she landed at the Delhi airport to shoot this series, “I had this really strange feeling in my stomach because this was the city where this crime happened.” She says, “And when you go from the airport to the city, you cross all those areas where the crime had happened — Mahipalpur, Vasant Kunj bus stop — and it was so uncanny. In fact, when I left Mumbai to shoot for this series, I was told by the three men in my life — husband and two sons — to not go out at night. We were shooting at real locations, it was an uncanny feeling. There was this sense of dread that it all happened where we are shooting.”
WHAT I LEARNED FROM NEERAJ KUMAR WAS THE KIND OF PRESSURE THAT HE WAS GOING THROUGH: ADIL HUSSAIN WHO PLAYED KUMAR VIJAY, CP DELHI
Adil Hussain says that he is thrilled and feels vindicated that the series has won an Emmy. He says, “The most important aspect of this series is that it generates empathy. I remember in 2012, I was shooting in Delhi when we heard about this horrific crime. I was extremely disturbed and I was glad that people came out on the streets to question the police. But years later, when I did this series, I realised the work police was doing. The best part of art is that it makes you see the other side of the story. We must hold police accountable when they are not efficient, but at the same time, we must empathise with them.”
Talking about his role, Adil says, “I had met Neeraj Kumar and we had long sessions a couple of times. Basically, the easy part was that he or any of those people (investigating the case), who were in a prominent position at that time, were not public figures. Their faces and personalities were not known and that was to my advantage as in I didn’t have to fit in to a particular public image. I only had to maintain the dignity and the stature of the Delhi police commissioner. But what I learned from him (Neeraj Kumar) was the kind of pressure that he was going through to protect his subordinates and the bureaucratic pressure on him. Those things were what I understood from him.”
He adds, “I remember after the series was released, Chhaya Sharma told me that she liked my character and complimented me.”
I TRIED TO CAPTURE THE MAN BEHIND THE UNIFORM WHILE DOING THIS ROLE: RAJESH TAILANG, WHO PLAYED BHUPENDRA SINGH, INSPECTOR
Rajesh Tailang, who had worked with Richie Mehta before Delhi Crime, says that when they started working on this project, they didn’t of course imagine that it will get an Emmy. “Ek vision tha Richie ka, uss pe sab log saath mein kaam kar rahe thay. We, who are from Delhi, are emotionally attached to the series because we were here in 2012. Almost 20 years back, I used to direct India’s Most Wanted, so I had an idea of how the Delhi Police functions. My character is based on Rajendra Singh, whom I had met several times and that was my preparation for the character. Rajendra Singh has retired as ACP a month ago.”
Rajesh adds, “I tried to capture the man behind the uniform while essaying the role of Bhupendra Singh. Just because someone wears a uniform, it doesn’t mean that the person behind that uniform ceases to exist. He has his personal issues and is trying to strike a balance between his personal and professional lives. When we see police portrayal on screen, it is either Simmba or a villain. There is nothing in between.”
Rajesh says that he wanted to understand from police officials how they deal with the dichotomies they face. "Main yeh samajhna chahta tha ki main police ka hoon, aur criminal mere saamne hai. Saza dena toh police ka kaam nahi hai, woh court ka kaam hai. Kabhi kabhi aise cases aate hai ki woh (police) saza dena chahe, lekin woh law se bandhe hue hain. Toh aapka ek struggle hota hai — aapke emotions ke saath aur aapki duty ke saath. Aur ek public pressure hota hai ki aap turant saza de do. Ek achcha officer toh wohi karta hai jo in sab officers ne kiya iss case mein, ki aap ek full-proof case banao.”
SPENDING JUST FOUR DAYS AT A POLICE STATION WAS A LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE: RASIKA DUGAL, WHO PLAYED NEETI SINGH, A PROBATIONARY OFFICER
Rasika Dugal says that being Neeti Singh was a special experience for her. “It reminds me of my college days. The kind of idealism Neeti has, the kind of world view she has to make the world a better place with her sincerity and hard work — I used to have that idealism when I was a student of Delhi University at LSR. Neeti Singh makes me revisit that idealism.”
Talking about the preparation for her role, Rasika says, “I shadowed an IPS officer who was a probationer because Neeti Singh is at the same position. I felt it would help me understand what their day looks like, how they function and what are the things that they learn everyday when they are in training. So, I hung around with her. Just spending four days at a police station was a lifechanging experience. There are so many decisions that a police personnel has to take, so many people come for help. It was fascinating for me to be a part of that world even for four days.”
She adds, “As the show progressed, Neeti was also beginning to realise that the system is not as simple as she probably thought from the outside. There are many things that you have to negotiate, there are several disappointements, and your idealism takes a beating. I was very fortunate to find officers who gave me time and allowed me to be a part of their day.”
Rasika says the same officer whom she shadowed gave her feedback on the role. “When I called her after the show came out, she told me that ‘in terms of protocols, you got it absolutely right’ and as an artiste, it means a lot. Especially when playing a police officer, my desire is to get every detail right.” Rasika says that Delhi Crime gave her a chance to work with the most sensitive collaborators that she knows. She adds, “The kind of sensitivity that Richie brought to his writing and direction is something for which I have huge admiration for. Having had the opportunity to collaborate with people like this is a very special experience in my creative journey.”
I don't know of any other show that deserves this, says Shefali Shah on Delhi Crime's Emmy Awards win; Rasika, too, elated
8:19 AM
Elated Shefali Shah and Rasika Dugal speak about the importance of Delhi Crime, as it wins Emmy for best drama series
Uma Ramasubramanian, Letty Mariam Abraham (MID-DAY; November 25, 2020)
There is childlike glee to Shefali Shah's voice when we get on a call with her on Tuesday morning, and with good reason. Only hours before, Delhi Crime – created and directed by Richie Mehta, and fronted by her – bagged the gong for Best Drama Series at the 48th International Emmy Awards, becoming the first Indian series to bring home an Emmy.
Since then, it has been a blissful haze of congratulatory calls and messages. Shah announces that her top priority is to schedule a video call with the team to celebrate the win. "Honestly, I want a real celebration where we can all be present together, but God knows when that will be possible," she begins. The Netflix series — a gritty retelling of the Delhi police's investigation of the 2012 Nirbhaya case — bested Charité 2 (Germany), Criminal UK (UK) and El Jardín de Bronce 2 (Argentina) to win the top honour. "[Ahead of the gala] I told Richie that I don't know of any other show that deserves this [accolade]."
In his acceptance speech, Mehta dedicated the award to "all the women who not just endure the violence that men inflict on them, but are then tasked to solve the problem." Shah infused her character DCP Vartika Chaturvedi with guts and gumption as she cracks the Delhi gang rape case. "The show not only stands for women, but also for justice. When news of the 2012 Delhi bus gang rape broke, we all felt, 'Why is nobody doing anything about it?' I didn't know this side of the story until [the series came my way]. While the series depicted a woman's trauma and pain, it showed that it took another woman to crack the case and get justice," adds Shah.
Elated as she is by the victory, Rasika Dugal — who played the trusted probationary IPS officer Neeti Singh — takes the opportunity to highlight the rampant violence against women in the country. "According to statistics, there has been an increase in violence against women since 2018. So, the true victory of the series would be to serve as a reminder to us that we, as a society, allowed a crime like the Nirbhaya rape case to happen and that we need to constantly check ourselves." She credits Mehta for employing an empathetic gaze. "The show examined the lives of the women investigating this case, thus giving a glimpse into [their state] in a patriarchal society. It depicted that everyday discrimination and sexism contributes to creating an environment where a crime like this can happen," she adds.
Richie Mehta
Shefali Shah and writer Sanyuktha Chawla Shaikh react on Delhi Crime's Emmy Awards win
8:16 AM
MUMBAI MIRROR (November 25, 2020)
I was watching the show live and could not stop screaming. I was totally over the moon and believe this win reinforces the credibility of talent that comes out of India. Delhi Crime is easily the turning point of my life and career; it has changed me not just as an actor but also as a person.
It talks about a real life incident which left every single person in the world with a human heart, shaken to the core. It’s a scar which will live with us forever. Its been my most enriching and consuming experience, ever.
— Shefali Shah who played DCP Vartika Chaturvedi
------------------------------------
The screenplay was based on years of research, Richie had scored every case file. The challenge was the craft of dialogue writing had to be applied to build characters in Hindi, but what was written in English had to be followed strictly. The confessions, for example, had to be exact, while character study, background and speech had to be developed. Richie was literally reading over my shoulder as we wrote.
I’m from Delhi, have grown up in the environment that the Nirbhaya case unraveled in. Writing Delhi Crime was cathartic as it addressed all the fear and frustration built up inside me and every girl who has grown up in the capital city. Despite its true-to-life, relentlessly gritty storytelling, it made me feel like there is a small light at the end of the tunnel. All I had to do was try and make the feeling come alive in the world that Richie had created.
This is a win for every member of the cast and crew. The show won! That’s a wonderful feeling.
— Sanyuktha Chawla Shaikh, Hindi dialogue writer
Getting nominated for Emmy Awards was a pleasant surprise in these unpleasant times-Richie Mehta
8:20 AM
London-based director Richie Mehta on the Emmy nomination for Delhi Crime
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; September 27, 2020)
When an email by one of the producers awaited him in his inbox, Delhi Crime writer-director Richie Mehta had no inkling of what was in store. "The mail had a link, and looked like one of those pop-up ads," says the London-based creator of the Netflix show, who was directed to the International Emmy Awards 2020 website that informed him of his addition to the list of nominees in the Best Drama Series category.
"It was a pleasant surprise in these unpleasant times. The first person I shared the news was with my wife, Olivia. I hugged her, gave her a kiss and indulged in a croissant," laughs Mehta, quick to add that though delighted with the development, he finds it unusual to celebrate in the midst of uncertainties.
"It is bittersweet. The effort of many has gone behind this accolade, but the gang cannot even get together to cheer. We will have to celebrate digitally for now."
The International Emmy Award is presented by the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences to the best television programmes produced outside the US. Nominees were announced on Thursday. Delhi Crime has been nominated alongside Charite 2 (Germany), Criminal (UK) and El Jardin de Bronce 2 (Argentina). The award ceremony is slated for November 23 in New York.
Delhi Crime, based on the events that transpired before and after the 2012 Nirbhaya gang rape, took four years to develop as the makers continued to research and refine the script. "The project was emotionally and physically draining. There was widespread outrage and anger after the incident. We had a sense of responsibility and sensitivity while making it. There were many questions that needed to be answered—Were we taking advantage of the situation? Were we doing it for some drama? Only after I was convinced that the story needed to be told that I went ahead with the project."
It was a conversation with a Delhi cop that egged Mehta on to create the series. "My first reaction was an emphatic no, but when he told me to meet the police force that worked on the case, I was intrigued. [I was eager to] hear the thoughts of the women officers," says Mehta, who earlier helmed Amal (2007) starring Naseeruddin Shah and Seema Biswas and Siddharth (2013) starring Rajesh Tailang and Tannishtha Chatterjee.
While a second season of Delhi Crime is lined up, Mehta says another project he is considering working on also beseeches the question of whether or not he should create it.
Delhi Crime shoot to be continued in Mumbai due to the pandemic?
8:06 AM
After Delhi Crime shoot was stalled in the capital in March, makers to wrap up remaining portions in city studio by month-end
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; September 15, 2020)
After a thunderous response to Shefali Shah-fronted Delhi Crime that revolved around the 2012 Nirbhaya case, the makers had swiftly begun work on its second edition.
The unit was conducting the final schedule in the capital when the nationwide Coronavirus lockdown in March compelled them to call it off and trudge back home. Six months since, as the wheels of the entertainment industry begin to turn again, it is heard that directors Rajesh Mapuskar and Tanuj Chopra have sent word to the team that the remaining portions of the police procedural will be shot in a Mumbai studio.
A source close to the project reveals, "The makers have begun working on the logistics, including getting dates from Shefali and the rest of the cast. They are eyeing to go on floors by the month-end." Real-life IAS officer Abhishek Singh has joined the cast of the Richie Mehta series.
Shah, who is joined by Rasika Dugal, Adil Hussain and Rajesh Tailang in the second instalment, confirmed the development, stating, "I have only two to three days' shoot pending. My portion will be filmed in Mumbai later this month."
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