Haami (directed by Shiboprosad Mukhopadhyay-Nandita Roy) focuses on the growing concern among parents about the safety of children in school...

Nandita: Haami is about instiling trust and confidence among school teachers and parents.

Shiboprosad: And it says that there is hope. There’s a sense of childhood and innocence in the word haami. Understandably, parents are worried. At the same time, the school’s reputation is at stake. And there is the issue of good and bad touch. Now, a child is at the receiving end of so much information. All the three groups are in a very vulnerable state. Let the children grow up in their own way — that’s the message of Haami. Our film restores faith in the system. And we tell the story in an entertaining way. Ramdhanu saw Laltu and Mitali (two middle-class parents) trying to admit their child to one of the best schools in town. In Haami, Laltu and Mitali’s son is in school. The story is about what happens after that.

Nandita: Initially, we had thought of doing a sequel to Ramdhanu. And since Ramdhanu was a huge hit, we had thought of bringing back Laltu and Mitali.

Shiboprosad: We had started listening to stories while doing the research work. Gradually, news of stray incidents came our way… and we could see that the trust was getting eroded. Now, how does one handle the situation?

One of the things that Haami brings to light is the importance of child counsellors. See, kids want to talk. They want to share their feelings. But maybe they don’t have a friend. Maybe the teacher is too busy to give them quality time. And they don’t have their parents with them all the time. This is where the child counsellor comes in, and the child can pour his/her heart out. 

How did Haami happen?

Nandita: We were working on Kantho and were on the lookout for a kid. My team was conducting auditions in various schools and they discovered Broto (Banerjee). Shibu was very impressed with Broto, but I felt Broto wasn’t going with the character in Kantho. But everyone insisted that I meet him in person. So one day I met Broto in our office. He walked in with his attitude and swag. He was like, ‘Hi, I am Broto. What do I call you?!’ I found him really interesting… so we shelved Kantho and decided to go ahead with Haami first, just for Broto. He was at the right age. And it was important that we shoot in winter.

How does the writing process work for the two of you?

Nandita: Shibu gives me the one-line concept. I develop the story and write the screenplay. And then Shibu writes the dialogues. Shibu also does the research work.

Shiboprosad: I met more than 10 principals of different schools. I met the teachers, child counsellors and parents. We had done the same kind of research work for Ramdhanu. If I don’t meet people, how will I get their stories?

Nandita: And the language they speak.

Shiboprosad: When you meet the real people, you know that reality is tough. We got to know that an element of fear exists among the teachers and the non-teaching stuff. Truth is stranger than fiction.

Nandita: It is sad.

You are dealing with a serious issue, but it is clear from the trailer that you start the film in a lighthearted manner...

Shiboprosad: The balance has to be there and the credit for that goes to Nanditadi. When you are doing Praktan, you need Biswanath (Basu). In Bela Sheshe, you need Kharaj (Mukherjee).

Nandita: I am giving out a message, but I need not be preachy. Neither do I want to be judgmental. One can give a serious message in a lighthearted way.

Shiboprosad: Look at Rajkumar Hirani’s films. We love his films.

Nandita: Also, have fun watching the film... be entertained.

Why don’t we see you acting more?

Shiboprosad: I hardly get the opportunity in our films! I gave a hit in Ramdhanu. Laltu represents the common man. People call me by that name. They can identify with him. Don’t you think I should get more roles?! (Laughs out loud). My first film as an actor was Char Adhyay,  directed by Kumar Shahani. 

Will you only act in your own films?

Shiboprosad: I don’t think I can act in others’ films. I don’t have the time now. In fact, Anindya Chattopadhyay wanted me for all his three films. But I couldn’t work it out.

Did you put on weight to play Laltu?

Shiboprosad: Yes, I again started having a lot of rice with ghee, and sweets. I have 16 cups of tea, so I would take sugar with it. Losing all that weight was tough. I changed my diet, stopped having carbs and worked out. 

How tough was it to act with kids?

Shiboprosad: Really tough. They memorise the whole thing along with the punctuation marks. One day, in front of everyone, Broto goes, ‘Shibuda, you are making a mistake! Please memorise your lines Shibuda.’ Imagine! I wrote the lines, I am the director! (Laughs) All the three kids (Broto, Tiyasha Pal and Abhiraj Karan) are brilliant and gifted.  

Tell us about your schooldays...

Nandita: Whatever I am today is all because of my school. It played a more important role in my life than anything else. I studied in St. Joseph’s Convent in Bombay. I was the captain of the school. I was also a topper and I learnt a lot.

Shiboprosad: I studied in Ramakrishna Mission, Baranagar. And like Didi (Nandita), school played a huge role in my life too.

Were you a naughty boy in school?

Shiboprosad: I was a disciplined naughty boy! I was made to stand on the bench and even asked to leave the classroom. But there was pride in that. (Laughs) I calmed down later! Our teachers were the world to us. 

What would have happened if Shiboprosad had met Nandita as a kid?

Shiboprosad: (Laughs out loud) It would have been like Broto and Tiyasha.