Parambrata directs Rituparna in Jiyo Kaka!!

Parambrata Chattopadhyay’s directorial debut Jiyo Kaka!!, which releases this Friday, is a celebration of friendship, with Rituparna Sengupta, Rudranil Ghosh, Rahul and Aviraaj in the lead. A t2 chat with the actor-turned-director...

Why is the film called Jiyo Kaka!!?

When we do something very good — something out-of-the-box —we say jiyo kaka or jiyo mama. In the film, too, we’ve done something out of the ordinary — hence this title.

What is Jiyo Kaka!! all about?

The film centres around three friends, played by Rudra, Rahul and Aviraaj. Ritudi (Rituparna) portrays a superstar who makes friends with them. So the film is about friendship and it’s also a film made by friends. Rudra and I go back a long way. I’ve known Rahul for years as well. Neel (Dutt, music director) and I started out way back (in the TV serial Half Chocolate). As friends, we wanted to do something new and Jiyo Kaka!! is our first attempt at that.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of shooting with friends?

Advantages? Well, friends can start working even before they ask for money! The disadvantage is that you tend to avoid them when the work is over (laughs)! But on a serious note, it’s easier to tell friends when you don’t like their work. I asked my editor Sujoy Dutta Roy to edit one scene 15 times and he didn’t mind. You can do that only with friends.

Has Rudranil written the script of Jiyo Kaka!!?

No. The story idea was his and we developed it. Aditi Majumdar and I have written the script. It took us some time to write the story — around three-four years. There were some obstacles that a new director has to face: from finding a producer and financier to getting the dates of actors. But it’s part of the deal for a first-timer, I guess.

Why did you cast Rituparna?

Ritudi plays a superstar who’s in her mid-thirties and has a huge fan following. In Tollywood, she is the only mainstream superstar. It’s logical that I wanted her in Jiyo Kaka!!. I also had the film’s commercial viability in mind while casting her.

Are you happy with the way the film has shaped up?

I am never completely happy with my work. Let’s say I’m 85 per cent happy. I wish I could make a few changes here and there. But let’s not talk about it anymore.

Do you think if you made the film now, after your course in filmmaking, it might have been better?

I don’t think so. What I could have done better is probably have a more strategic marketing plan. I am happy with the final product. The film has a certain rawness — an edginess — which is good.

Finally, do you think the audience will say jiyo kaka after watching the film?

I sure hope so! Tollywood has this habit of putting wrong tags on people. For example, I don’t know why I’ve been branded very serious. My film is very mainstream and has all the ingredients of a commercial film. Yet, Jiyo Kaka!! is new-age cinema. It’s not mainstream in the sense that an Anup Sengupta film is.