Arjunn Dutta’s film Deep Fridge, which won the National Award for Best Bengali Film, chronicles the journey of Swarnava (Abir Chatterjee) and Mili (Tnusree). Swarnava is a sought-after economist whose fiscal and analytical articles are taken very seriously. He is a man of few words, extremely chivalrous and has a good sense of humour. He loves his son Tatai immensely. Mili is an HR manager in a reputed MNC. She is an extremely responsible woman and a natural caregiver whose world revolves around her son.
Deep Fridge stands out as a powerful exploration of emotional repression, domestic silence, and the fragility of human relationships. The film, marked by its layered storytelling and restrained performances, has resonated strongly with both audiences and critics, making this national recognition especially significant. A t2 chat with filmmaker Arjunn Dutta...
What was your reaction when you first heard the news?
That day, I had a late lunch and was napping in my room. My nephew, Ruhel, and a few of his friends were watching the live telecast of the National Awards. Suddenly, I heard them screaming. Ruhel came running to my room and hugged me tightly, and broke the news. I know it’s a cliché, but honestly, I couldn’t register it for a few moments. Then my Baba came and kissed my forehead and started crying. Then it finally sank in... it was actually ecstatic. I couldn’t stop my tears... deep inside, I was connecting with my Maa, whom I lost during the entire process of making Deep Fridge. I strongly felt her presence at that very moment. It’s a feeling I can’t express in words. It was indeed a very emotional moment for my Baba, Dada and my two nephews as we have all been extremely close to her.
What are your thoughts on the win?
Firstly, filmmaking is a collaborative process, so this award is mine as much as it is my team’s. My producer, Krishna Kyal, backed this project and allowed me to execute the film the way I wanted it to. We shot the film in a very tight schedule, just in 10 days. So we, as a team, are extremely happy and brimming with joy at this achievement. I’m extremely grateful to all the jury members who voted for our film. Deep Fridge was in IFFI too, so this National Award marks a full circle for the film. I now sincerely hope the audience also accepts our film and showers their love after its release.
What does this honour mean to you?
Honestly, with such honour and achievements comes great responsibility. I’ve always been extremely passionate and honest towards my craft... with time, I’ll be honing my skills more and more. I’m a learner, so with time, I’ll be genuinely trying not to repeat the same mistakes in my filmmaking process. From my maiden film Abyakyo, I’ve been trying to tell varied stories, be it my second outing Guldasta, followed by Shrimati and Deep Fridge and more recently Bibi Payra, which is in the post-production stage. I’ve not restricted myself to any particular genre. I love telling humane stories, stories that are marked by compassion, empathy and consideration for one another. Deep Fridge is one such project which has been made with a lot of love and heart by the entire team.
This award has also actually made me believe in magic. An honest heart’s prayer never goes unheard. The universe is abundant, and I’m so grateful to it for making this happen so early in my career. Also, honestly, I think my Maa must have pulled some strings from up there for this honour. I’m sure she’s watching over me. I’ve dedicated this award to her.
Why do you think Deep Fridge won the award for Best Film?
The subjective standpoint of any film matters a lot; in general, the most important thing is how a film influences its audience. That actually makes it so amazing. Perhaps our film’s emotional impact may have influenced the jury’s decision, potentially leading them to favour it.
My team and I have made an honest and sincere film without keeping any particular agenda in mind other than making a good movie. The National Award citation particularly mentioned the sensitive performances of the cast and mature storytelling, also stating that the film transforms personal estrangement into universal resonance.
Personally, I think Deep Fridge is my most accomplished creation so far. The writing, cinematography, music, costume, art and the performances have blended very well. There was a high degree of synergy and coordination between all the departments contributing to the overall quality of the film.
I’ve always been a keen observer and have been intrigued by interpersonal dynamics. Divorce has become a common aspect of today’s society more than ever before, yet we refuse to talk about it. I’ve seen couples around me who are not happy in their marriages, and in the course of time, they get divorced. But does the essence of the old connection wane away completely or does it last somewhere deep inside the heart forever? And also, the one who suffers the most in the entire process is the child, if there is any. So Deep Fridge revolves around the journey of such a couple with a child post their divorce.
How will this win inspire you?
Of course, it is a prestigious honour that has definitely validated my hard work and sincerity towards the craft, boosting confidence to make varied projects which will push my creative boundaries. Also, I hope I attract more work and opportunities in the industry, exploring new storytelling styles. I hope to continue creating impactful stories that would connect and also resonate with a wider audience, making a lasting impact. Knowing your work has been acknowledged at the highest level definitely motivates you to continue creating meaningful and honest content.