Showing posts with label Sherdil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sherdil. Show all posts
Sourav Ganguly told me, ‘Mithali Raj is legendary. You must do this well’-Srijit Mukherji
10:52 AM
Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; July 12, 2022)
It took him five years to return to direct a full-blown Bollywood film after Begum Jaan in 2017. In a conversation with Bombay Times, National Award-winning director Srijit Mukherji talks about making his upcoming film,
Shabaash Mithu headlined by Taapsee Pannu, which is based on the life of ace cricketer Mithali Raj, his passion for the sport and the changing norms of content creation today. Excerpts:
Shabaash Mithu had a different director on board earlier and when you took charge, the film had already gone on floors. Was it difficult to find your space in such a scenario?
It was difficult. The pre-production work was already over and I had to restructure it. The original plan had to be changed. Looking at the way modern cricket-watching has evolved, we could not shoot matches for real. We decided to use footage, which was the more prudent thing to do. Also, we were shooting with COVID scare still in the air. A lot of locations became out of bounds and so on. So, we had to restructure the blueprint, which was challenging, but we managed well. As an ardent cricket follower, I was clear about how those portions had to be shot and shown in the movie.
We even cast many state-level players in the film, which is easier than training actors to become cricketers. Also, I reinstated certain things that had been taken out of the original screenplay. The points where your vision doesn’t match the writer’s or the studio that’s backing the film, is where you have to arrive at a consensus, which I enjoyed.
Since Taapsee had already prepped herself based on the vision of another filmmaker, how did you get her on board with how you wanted to shape the film?
It started with our first meeting where we started talking about her stance and I suggested some technical changes to the way she held the bat and her body language. Subsequently, it turned into a freewheeling chat about issues like how there is inherent sexism in the way cricket is perceived in India, the lack of focus on women’s issues, how Mithali has been vociferous about these matters and has fought a hard battle for several years. I’ve followed Taapsee on social media, and she has similar views about sexism, pay parity and so on. We also discussed how much the script emphasizes on these points, how the message in the film should be strong but put across subtly without being preachy and how we should do all of this without sacrificing the cricket portions. I was extremely excited to work with Taapsee. I had first met her when Pink had released, and we’ve been in touch since then. We always discussed stories, but I guess the stars aligned themselves for this special project. Taapsee lends herself wonderfully to the role — she’s incredibly hardworking and a natural athlete. Cricket is my first passion in life. I ventured into it as a writer, a commentator and a reader. I’m glad Taapsee and I came together to make Shabaash Mithu.
Women cricketers have not received that kind of adulation and attention that their male counterparts enjoy in our country. Given that this is a sports biopic, how did you strike a balance between talking about these topics while keeping the focus on a legendary cricketer’s journey?
Most of the sequences depicted in the film have happened in Mithali’s life. Our writer, Priya Aven, has articulated them wonderfully in the screenplay. I just shot them dramatically, which I felt was needed. Before every sequence, Priya, Taapsee and I would discuss everything — from the setting to the dialogues to how they had to be delivered to ensure that they don’t sound textbookish. While writing the film, Priya shadowed Mithali, interviewed her and spoke to her at length. After that, when I joined in, I also started interacting with Mithali. She would be at different tournaments and in bio bubbles, but she would answer all my queries. I had a lot of technical questions about the evolution of her stance, her grip, whether she had ever done any sledging on the field, her evolving body language and her stroke-making style. These were small, but extremely important parts of depicting her journey on screen. Shooting the cricket portions was the most difficult aspect. We were still in the thick of the pandemic. Also, there was a lot of rain to be battled. Shooting outdoors was a nightmare. Strangely, the only thing that favoured us was that the grounds could be kept empty. India mein women’s cricket mein stadium nahi bharte, so we didn’t have to show that, which was an advantage as far as shooting the film was concerned at that time.
As a cricket enthusiast, what took you so long to make a film revolving around the sport?
It took this long because of Sourav Ganguly. I’m fond of dada and I wanted to start by making his biopic. We kept exchanging notes and I had researched and figured out everything. We kept discussing things over three-four years, but he was so busy that we couldn’t make this work. I couldn’t translate my research into something concrete. So, when Shabaash Mithu came to me, I informed him and he was happy for me. In fact, he said, ‘She is legendary. You must do this well.’ Now, I hear his biopic is being made by another production house.
You made your first Hindi film, Vidya Balan-starrer Begum Jaan, in 2017. If one doesn’t count the anthology, Ray, in the online space, it took you five years to make another Hindi film...
My first Hindi film didn’t work at the box office. I got Ray because my direction was appreciated for Begum Jaan. Success begets success in Bollywood. Begum Jaan barely broke even. With that tag, it gets difficult. If it were a hit, I would have had more offers. But trust me, I didn’t mind it because I feel it’s important to tell stories, irrespective of the language. Today, I want to make films in different languages. I want to make a movie in Malayalam with Fahadh Faasil. I am in talks for a web series where I want to cast a brilliant artiste like Nimisha Sajayan.
OTT has broken the language barrier. Fahad and Nimisha have a following all over the country. In the last five years, I won three National Awards for my Bengali films. I have travelled to festivals with my material and had a blast. I am ready to work in any language, as long as I work on my terms. When I was making Sherdil: The Pilibhit Saga, I wasn’t getting funds because the hero of the film was Pankaj Tripathi. OTT platforms changed that barometer completely. The OTT revolution has given brilliant actors and directors their due recognition. Shefali Shah and Rasika Duggal are the busiest names in the market. I have a plethora of things that I’m in talks to make after this. So, irrespective of the language of the content, I have exciting times to look forward to.
Fenil's Bollywood Talk # 731
11:00 AM
WILL JUGJUUG JEEYO EMERGE AS A BOX OFFICE SUCCESS?
The Kartik Aaryan-starrer Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 has emerged as a blockbuster. It has crossed the Rs. 180 crore mark and needless to say, the numbers brought in a lot of cheer in the industry. The films that were released after Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 like Anek, Samrat Prithviraj, Janhit Mein Jaari and Nikamma met a disastrous fate. As a result, all eyes are now on JugJuug Jeeyo, which releases tomorrow. It has created a tremendous buzz, thankfully.
JugJuug Jeeyo stars Varun Dhawan, Kiara Advani, Anil Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor, and is directed by Raj Mehta, of Good Newwz fame. Good Newwz was about two couples in an unusual situation, and JugJuug Jeeyo is also in the same zone. The basic plot, as given out in the trailer, is very funny. In fact, the battle was half won for the makers as the trailer was very well received. The two songs - 'The Punjaabban Song' and 'Rangisari' – have been well received. Moreover, it’s a rare family comedy, sans violence and action, after a long time.
What also goes in favour of JugJuug Jeeyo is the Punjabi touch. Hence, it has the potential to do very well in the North and Overseas. The film is sure to take an opening of Rs. 10 crore plus. But what remains to be seen is if it can open better than Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2. The horror comedy’s opening day numbers were Rs. 13.50 crore. If the reports of JugJuug Jeeyo are encouraging, it can go beyond this figure. Even if it doesn’t, the double digit opening will make it a winner and then it’ll all be about how it sustains at the ticket window from Saturday.
The other releases of the week are Sherdil and Elvis. Sherdil, starring Pankaj Tripathi, looks interesting but has zero buzz. Elvis, as the name suggests, is the biopic of legendary icon Elvis Presley. The film won’t be a huge grosser but can work well in multiplexes in certain metros.
Sherdil's idea has haunted me for four years-Srijit Mukherji
12:10 PM
Having wrapped up Sherdil shoot in the Dooars in less than a month, director says it’s fulfilling to bring project to fruition after adversities
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; December 16, 2021)
Srijit Mukherji is a relieved man today. After kicking off the shoot of Sherdil in the Dooars in North Bengal on November 21, the filmmaker called it a wrap by the first week of December. The three-week shoot stands in stark contrast to the many years it took for the project to get off the ground. “The film’s idea has haunted me for four years. To watch the story unfold in front of my eyes was incredible,” begins the noted Bengali filmmaker.
The idea for the Pankaj Tripathi, Neeraj Kabi and Sayani Gupta-starrer came to him after he read an article about poverty-stricken villagers living near the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, who would send their elderly family members to the forest as tiger prey so that they could claim compensation.
It has been a long struggle to make the movie that was considered commercially unviable by certain studios. The project rolled when T-Series and Reliance Entertainment came on board. “We had been working on it since 2018, and were to shoot in 2019. It then got pushed to 2020, only to be delayed further by the pandemic.”
Giving shape to the film with Tripathi was a joyful experience, just as the director had expected. “It was cold and everything a forest could possibly be in the winter. Pankaj would stay back with us after his shoot, wandering around the jungle. After working in the city, when you visit the jungles, it’s a cathartic experience. We all used to have long addas after shooting.”
Mukherji is all praises for his leading man. “As an artiste, Pankaj is in control of his craft. He contributes creatively, but is never interfering. He was euphoric when we completed the movie ahead of time.”
Pankaj Tripathi kicks off shoot of Srijit Mukherji’s Sherdil that is centred on man-animal conflict
8:56 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; November 24, 2021)
Srijit Mukherji has little time for a breather. Only days after wrapping up the shoot of Shabaash Mithu, the filmmaker has kicked off his next, Sherdil, with Pankaj Tripathi. The film’s idea came to him after he read a news article about poverty-stricken villagers living near the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, who were suspected of sending their elderly family members to the forest as tiger prey so that they could claim compensation.
The idea, shocking as it was, piqued Tripathi’s interest as soon as he heard the script narration. The joy of working with Mukherji was another reason to give his nod to Sherdil. Currently shooting in Darjeeling, Tripathi says the noted director is every actor’s dream come true. “Srijit needs no introduction. His work speaks for itself. When Sherdil was offered to me, I jumped at the idea. It is a beautifully written script, and I trust Srijit to bring each character to life convincingly.”
The satire, also starring Neeraj Kabi and Sayani Gupta, was originally slated to roll in 2020, but had to be deferred due to the pandemic. Mukherji says he couldn’t envision anyone except Tripathi to play the protagonist — a villager who voluntarily goes to the forest. “Pankaj is one of the finest actors in the country today. Having him on set is half the battle won. He is always excited to try new things and improvise,” says the director.
Srijit Mukherji's next after Shabaash Mithu is Sherdil; stars Pankaj Tripathi
8:20 AM
In his next, Srijit Mukherji highlights the story of villagers leaving elderly as prey in a tiger reserve for compensation
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; July 25, 2021)
Even as he preps for Shabaash Mithu, his next with Taapsee Pannu, Srijit Mukherji has begun work on another offering, Sherdil. It is based on a real-life story, which will be headlined by Pankaj Tripathi as a village head, who goes into the forest to save his poor family. The film was initially set to roll in November 2020.
“I have written the story with Sudeep Nigam, a promising, bright, and young writer. He is familiar with the required dialect. Sherdil is inspired from a real-life incident that happened in the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, where people would leave their [older] family members for tigers to prey on, and subsequently claim compensation from the government. A string of attacks on the older folk had led the forest authorities to grow suspicious,” says Mukherji, admitting that his tale substantially deviates from the news report on the subject that he read in 2017. “My version is satirical and uplifting. Pankaj’s character is a heroic and inspiring one.”
Tripathi and he would often “talk about various movies and stories, and this is my first movie with him. Despite his fame, he is a simple, person, but a powerful actor”.
Should the situation be favourable, he plans to start shooting by the year end. “I plan to conduct recces across natural forests to lock the location,” he says.
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