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Sudhir Mishra's Calcutta Mail is releasing tomorrow. We spoke to the director or rather we chatted with him via the
Net. Excerpts from a virtual interview:
What is the significance of the title or rather the train?
The film begins with the character played by Anil Kapoor arriving at Howrah station. So in a sense it is the story of a man for whom Calcutta is an unfamiliar big city in which he is looking for someone. Simultaneously we realise that there are other people looking for him and one of them even wants him dead. Also a significant event occurs in the train, which drastically changes Anil's character. Besides this the title suggests the nature of the film, which is a thriller and a roller-coaster ride. In a sense I am saying to the audience 'Get into this train with me and I'll give you the ride of your life."
Wasn't this film long in the making?
The film got delayed due to the ill health and the eventual death of my wife Renu Saluja, who is perhaps the greatest editor India has ever known (Jane Bhi Do Yaaron, Ardh Satya, Parinda, Bandit Queen etc). She was not only my wife but also a close collaborator. The film is dedicated to her and we have worked doubly hard on it. The rest is up to the audience.
You have cast Satish Kaushik as the villain. How did that happen?
I have known Satish since his student days at the National School of Drama. He is a great actor and anyone who has seen his play 'Salesman Ramlal' will testify to that. He is the surprise package of the film and has given what I think a career changing performance.
Why did you go for Anil, Manisha Koirala and Rani Mukherjee? Were they your original choices?
A lot of great filmmakers have said that if you cast a film right you have already won half the battle. So if you see Calcutta Mail you'll realise that I couldn't have cast anyone but these people. Also I'd like to say that I've worked with great actors of our time Naseer, Om Puri, Shabana, Deepti Naval and working with Anil, Rani and Manisha was no different.
Wasn't this film called Wapsi? What made you change the title?
The earlier title seemed a little old fashioned to me. Also it gave the impression of a sad and nostalgic film which this film is not.
Does this film too like Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin talk about the darker sides of life?
No, this is a much more of an upbeat film. Since it is a thriller it has its dark moments but this is a more positive look at life. Things solve themselves in the end.
The film looks different, so in that case do you think it's coming at the right time when the formula is anyways not working?
There is no good or bad time only good or bad films. If you tell an exciting story without resorting to too much melodrama or clichés, the audience will always react favourably. What you are saying about the current scene is helpful to good filmmakers in the sense that producers do not force directors to put in the usual crap in their films.
Why hasn't the film really been adequately publicised especially when in today's times, promotional activity does affect a film a great deal?
I think that the promotion should be just enough to make the audience aware of the kind of film. The audience can see through the exaggerated self-praise and spin doctoring that marketing and PR agencies indulge in. It may have worked at times but it can also badly backfire.
Lastly, what's the progress on A Twist with Destiny?
The film is now called Hazaaron Khwahishen Aisi and the post-production has just got over. It is slated for release in October. I am very proud of the way the film has turned out.
What next?
I am in the process of writing a big budget film called The Nawab, The Nautch girl and The John Company and also another thriller in the mould of Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin tentatively called Who's Speaking. I'm also executive producing a film by a young filmmaker called Ruchi Narain.
- Kshama Rao
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