Director Svati Bhatkal, whose offering Rubaru Roshni is nominated for Best Web Film in the upcoming mid-day and Radio City Hitlist Web Awards, on exploring subject of forgiveness through cases of murder and violence
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; February 24, 2020)

Rubaru Roshni director R Chakravarty Bhatkal admits she found her protagonists' stories of forgiveness as "unbelievable" as viewers did. A documentary film revolving around murders, and the ability of the loved ones of the deceased to forgive the killers, was something she was certain she wanted to present to the audience. "I read a few stories in news reports, and reached out to the journalists, who helped me with the required [phone] numbers. Once I started calling and meeting people, I realised that there was something deep here. Initially, I took permission to film them on a handy-cam. Some of them were reluctant. I assured them that if they wanted to pull the plug anytime, they could," says Bhatkal, whose offering has been nominated in the Best Web Film category in the upcoming mid-day and Radio City Hitlist Web Awards.

Giving a platform to individuals who have committed crimes can invite the wrath of viewers, but the director points out that not one of the 23 million who watched the documentary have questioned the "space given to them to speak".

"It's important to be balanced, and allow both sides to have their say. People deal with a lot, even in the re-telling of their story. So, it's about staying sensitive and not having a judgmental gaze," shares the director.

Her biggest take-away from the experience was an interaction between two protagonists — Ranjeet Singh Gill aka Kuki, and Avantika Maken, whose parents had been murdered by the former. "Knowing that I was heading to Delhi [where Maken resides], Kukiji and his wife handpicked flowers to create a bouquet for Avantika. When I took it to Avantika, I wasn't sure how she would react to it. But she placed it in a vase and set it [in the living room]. I felt I had been a medium for that to happen," says Bhatkal, who is currently working on her next. "It explores violence from a different lens."

So moved was he by the material at hand that producer Aamir Khan had decided to have a television premiere of the documentary, followed by its release on Hotstar and Netflix. In a chat with mid-day last year, explaining his decision, Khan had said, "When I saw the film, I cried... I wanted people across the country to see it first, and then the world. I chose to premiere it on TV due to the wide reach of the medium."

More About Rubaru Roshni
- Rubaru Roshni has been screened for prisoners and juvenile convicts across India. Bhatkal says the screening was cathartic for a bunch of girls who were rescued from trafficking and were dealing with anger issues.
- Bhatkal received a note from Mahatma Gandhi's grandson Rajmohan stating that he had loved her film.

Cast Your Vote For The Hitlist Web Awards

Svati Chakravarty Bhatkal's Rubaru Roshni (Hotstar) has been nominated in the Best Web Film category.

The other nominees are:
- Udai Singh Pawar's Upstarts (Netflix)
- Bugs Bhargava's Barot House (Zee5)
- Aditya Kripalani's Tottaa Pataaka Item Maal (Netflix)
- Faruk Kabir's Ab Normal 377 (Zee5)

- There are 14 categories that the public can vote in. Log on to www.hitlistwebawards.com to cast your vote.

- You can also vote via SMS. Send HITLIST <space> category name <space> your choice (a/b/c/d as on the website) to 57575.

- Voting lines close on March 8.

Rubaru Roshni director Svati Chakravarty Bhatkal on the emotional turmoil she endured when putting together her story of forgiveness
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; February 1, 2019)

A section of Aamir Khan's production Rubaru Roshni — which aired on television on January 26 — is in stark contrast with the rest of the film. Showcasing a mediator who steps in to heal the families of a victim and her convict in the second of the trio of stories, Swami Sadanand is captured, sharing anecdotes on life, in a rather unsteady frame that sees him moving in and out of it, constantly. Director Svati Chakravarty Bhatkal reveals that the shots that made it to the final edit weren't, in fact, meant to be there.

"I had been to his ashram and done a recce with him on a handy camera. We were to do a proper shoot soon, but he got a heart attack. So, we decided that we'd take the film forward with him at a more suitable time. But, two days before I was to meet him, he had passed away," says Bhatkal of the man who played a vital role in her story of forgiveness.

An array of situations that found her protagonists in mental turmoil delayed her long-in-the-making film. "We also lost sister Mariam's [victim's family] mother, which was an emotional set-back. Often, when I'd plan my shoot schedules to talk to the families [of the victims or convicts] they wouldn't feel like communicating. So, I'd have to pack up and return."

Travelling across India with a cameraman, sound recordist and production assistant in tow, Bhatkal confesses it took a great deal of patience to acquire the confessions. "[Making this film] needed time, and I was willing to give it. I was also willing to take the risk that they may not eventually speak [on record]. It was an emotional journey that those I was talking to, and I, went through. The material was so intense that my team would stop watching it after 6.30 pm."

Having served their time behind bars, the convicts in Bhatkal's documentary, speak with an unusual openness. Prod her on how she enabled them to trust her with their revelations and she says, "I told them the truth — that I was creating a documentary on the subject of forgiveness." Bhatkal's film aptly showcases the ache that accompanies a life cut short. The idea of attaching the theme of forgiveness to these stories, she reveals, germinated from a newspaper clipping of one of them.

Khan's involvement in the project stemmed from his desire to learn what his Satyamev Jayate collaborator Bhatkal was working on post the show on social issues ended. "The rest of the team had joined the Paani Foundation, and he wondered why I hadn't. I told him I wanted to continue telling stories, and I was working on this project. We stuck to these three stories to keep the film from becoming lengthy. For the rest, there may be another time or film."

Ahead of his production Rubaru Roshni's premiere tomorrow, Aamir says he opted for the medium since he wanted the message to reach the masses
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; January 25, 2019)

In his three-decade-long career, he has earned a distinction few can boast of — when Aamir Khan has something to say, people sit up and listen. It is in the hope that the audience will, once again, take notice of his offering that the superstar has backed Rubaru Roshni, a short film that is set for a television premiere tomorrow.

Directed by Svati Chakravarti Bhatkal, the film reflects on three episodes that changed the course of Indian history. Yet, Khan insists, at its heart, it is a story about forgiveness. The actor says, "It features real people who were affected [by the incidents] and how they healed themselves by forgiving the perpetrators. The healing process starts with yourself; you have to forgive and let it go."

Following its premiere, the film will drop on Hotstar, and three months later, on Netflix. The actor-filmmaker adds, "Netflix was keen to acquire it, but I wanted people across the country to see it first, and then the world. I chose to premiere it on TV due to the wide reach of the medium."

Ask him why he chose Republic Day, and he says, "It is a national holiday, so everyone can watch it." Emotionally stirring and thought-provoking in equal measure, the film can leave viewers with a lump in the throat. Khan admits it left him teary-eyed too:

"When I saw the film, I cried. Conflicts in the world are continuing because we are holding on to the past. I am reading a book on Jerusalem, where the conflicts are 1,000 years old, and there is still no way out. Hanging on to the negativity will do you no good. Forgiveness is the most healing quality."

Rubaru Roshni is a film produced by Aamir Khan and directed by his Satyameva Jayate associate Svati Chakravarty Bhatkal. It’ll directly be aired on TV on Star channels at 11 am on Saturday January 26. It is divided into three parts and tells three true stories with the common theme being forgiveness. The stories are of those who have gone through a major loss in their life due to someone’s incorrect way of thinking. How these people decided to forgive and forget and thereby healed themselves is what the film is all about. It is just 1 hours 45 minutes long and it’s highly engaging and moving. The first track is the most impactful as the incident showcased and even the people associated with it leave a tremendous mark. The second track is also moving and very relevant in today’s times. The third story is the most novel and made for a fine watch. The film also raises the issues of communalism, terrorism, spread of rumours in order to polarize etc. but the makers take a very balanced view. Hats off to Aamir Khan for once again trying to bring a social change in an unusual way! No one expects him to indulge in such exercises and yet, he works so hard and tries to reform the society in his own way. He proves yet again why he deserves all the respect and love and also proves that he’s not just a fine actor but a fine human being! This Republic Day, do give Rubaru Roshni a try once you’re done with the flag hoisting and forwarding patriotic messages to your loved ones. You won’t regret it for sure! (P.S.: Rubaru Roshni will be aired in various languages across Star channels. It’ll also be aired on Hotstar and would be available on Netflix three months later).

My rating - **** ½ out of 5!