Meghna Gulzar

After two duds at the box office, Filhaal and Just Married, Meghna Gulzar has directed one of the 10 shorts in Sanjay Gupta’s Dus Kahaniyaan, called Pooranmashi. A chat with Boski...

On directing a short story: Sanjay Gupta and I were talking about his producing a feature film which I would direct. At that point, he was putting together the concept of Dus Kahaniyaan and he had shot one film himself. He asked me if I would like to do so too. I thought it was a very interesting concept, something unusual which is what I am always looking to do. So I agreed to do one of the 10 stories — Pooranmashi.

On the source: My film is based on a short story by Kartar Singh Duggal. We were in the process of throwing stories at each other when Sanjay came across this short story called Night of the Full Moon. Both of us jumped on it completely. Then we spoke to Mr Duggal and got the rights from him.

On the idea: It is a 10-minute-long story about a relationship between a mother and a daughter. It’s a very poignant story and about how one unforeseen circumstance impacts both their lives.

On the cast: Amrita was the unanimous choice. The story is a period film based in rural Punjab of the 70s. It was very important to get a woman who looked like a Sikhni. Then we had to get a girl who would fit into the character of a Punjabi kudi and look like Amrita’s daughter. We had spoken to Vidya Balan but there were some date problems with her. We then approached Minissha (Lamba) and she agreed.

On the short format: Directing a short film is not difficult. It’s when you are editing it and want all the small nuances but can’t cross 10 minutes, then it’s a nightmare. We did a lot of editing on paper itself. Even then this story is such that it needs its languid moments. That was a little difficult but we managed.

On her first two films: The kind of response I got from the critics for my first film took away all the pressure. It couldn’t get any worse! Now it’s about making films, putting in an earnest effort and passion and hoping it works. If I make one colossal film which everybody loves then what is my motivation to better that? Not that I want all my films to keep failing (laughs). There is a certain amount of success in both my films even though they may be considered box-office failures.

Amrita Singh and Minissha Lamba in Pooranmashi

On growing as a maker: My writing and technique have become crisper. The one thing I maintain is that I still keep things simple. That is an extension of my personality. I don’t like to overdramatise or overclutter a film.

On the difference between father (Gulzar) and daughter: It’s very difficult for me to judge because when I see my father’s films, I’m not judging him as a director. The similarities are easier to point out. Both of us have a certain sensibility in our films. The fragility of relationships and small nuances of life are very apparent. Simplicity and silence are common to both our films. Beyond that, my sense of execution is far younger and contemporary. When I write my script my characters speak a different language.

On her father’s films: I did not grow up on his films. I saw his films after I grew up. Through my entire childhood he was just Papa who would go to office and come back. There is a personality extension because he has raised me. Also, genetics play a part. I am a lot like him. So it’s more our personalities which seep into our films.

On working with her father’s stories: I have different plans for my father’s short stories. It’s too soon to talk about it but I am working on something.

On her mother (Rakhee): She has had enough of motherly roles in films. When she gets something different and interesting to do, she does it. She did two Bengali films a couple of years ago. The point is: how long can you keep doing the same thing? What is there for her to do in today’s films which is different from what she has done before? She spends a lot of time on her farm. She’s always been a farmer’s daughter and she’s come full circle and gone back to her roots. She is tremendously happy with what she’s doing.

On directing Rakhee: Only when I am confident enough as a director to handle her! She is a tremendously accomplished actress. I want to be able to do justice to her. My relationship with her (Rakhee) is very volatile; I need to be able to be in control as a director!

On what’s next: I'm working on two scripts right now. There is a feature film planned with White Feather and I’m scripting for PNC as well.