One fine morning, the world shut down. I guess for years now I’ve created an isolated bubble that is now known to people as the ‘quarantine life’. For the privileged class, they are adapting to being at home, some working and taking breaks and some of their time is now being dedicated to watching movies and series online. Watching online was a thing but in this past month it’s literally become the only thing when it comes to accessing entertainment. For the past few days, I’ve been getting a ton of feedback on the movies of mine that exist on OTT platforms. Generation Ami has a consistent pour of affection that never stops but what surprised me is when some people started bringing up Bedroom.
Through the audience I actually get to revisit my films, since I’ve made a habit of never going back and rewatching anything that I’ve finished making. It’s more an emotional decision because the memories of the movies are stored within me and I’d rather let it lay dormant.
For years Bedroom has consistently haunted me. It’s my first major successful film that sort of gave me a career.When I look back there are so many things I wish I could redo, not because they were mistakes but just maybe because I feel differently. Turns out I’m also a decade older since I made it.
One of the major changes I’d make is the way I shot it. Had it been today, I think I’d have gone a little more erratic with the camera movements. At the time, there was the fear of whether the audience would get disturbed on a big screen. With time my confidence over my instinct — that a movie is a movie not defined by the size of the screen — makes me more adamant. So yes, I would totally move the hell out of those jerky camera moves.
Mayabono biharini was a breakthrough song. It’s a video I had an idea for — an all-girl band — which became an instant success but it was an afterthought to the film. If I had to redo the film today I’d find a way to incorporate that video and song into the film. Perhaps weave it better. I can’t remember making a film that was meant to be so emotionally claustrophobic. But at the time, when you’re sort of starting off you get scared to push. I would intersperse outdoor shots with indoor ones. Today I would make it an entirely indoor-driven film. I’d actually make it a point to not step out and see one exterior shot. Another thing about the film I’ve always wanted to get into is delve into so many of the subplots. So many grey characters I didn’t have time to address when you have a feature film time crunch. Living in an OTT world, makes me think — who knows. I’m more of a doer than a thinker. I might just take Bedroom one day and redo it as a series in eight chapters and not have to worry about the morals of a ticket-paying audience and blast it out of the park without worrying about the Sunday footfall problems that often plague movies for theatres.
