Promita Bhowmik's debut feature film, Ahana, which hits theatres today, features Sudipta Chakraborty in the lead role alongside notable actors like Joy Sengupta and Saumya Sengupta. Tackling themes of male infertility, male ego and insecurity that can arise within marriages, this film offers a thought-provoking reflection on these issues and holds a mirror to society. The trailer captivates with dreamlike sequences, questions on motherhood, the joys of childhood friendships, the strains of an unsupportive marriage, and the loneliness enveloping the protagonist. A t2 chat with Sudipta Chakraborty, who embodies the character of Ahana...
The film has travelled to various festivals around the world, garnering a lot of positive response. What resonated with you about the story of Ahana?
What struck me the most was the unique way Promita (Bhowmik, director) narrated the story. The writing style was refreshingly different, and the storytelling felt like a breath of fresh air. Such a style is rare nowadays. That was the first thing that truly resonated with me. Plus, it’s exciting to work with a first-time filmmaker. There’s always a thrill... I’ve always enjoyed collaborating with new filmmakers. I did the first film of many filmmakers, be it my husband Abhishek Saha, Anindya Chatterjee, Aditi or Kamaleswar Mukherjee. On top of that, she is a female director, it is her first film and I have a titular role in it. It dawned on me later that I haven’t yet done a film where my character’s name is also the title of the film. But primarily, it was the storytelling approach that captivated me.
In the trailer, we see your character facing a dilemma on whether motherhood is necessary for her as a woman to make her feel complete. As a mother yourself, how do you look at motherhood?
I think “complete” is not quite the right word. I see motherhood as a celebration of womanhood. Many women lead fulfilling lives without becoming mothers. For me, motherhood is about embracing responsibility and navigating an uncharted territory within my own personality. As a mother, I evolve alongside my child. The personal growth I experienced might not have happened had I not stepped into this role. I enjoy this transformative experience, which is truly unique to motherhood.
The film deals with the male ego in relation to infertility and the female partner’s successful career. It is a subject that mirrors our society. But as a contemporary working woman, do you find it absurd that we are still having to deal with such issues in reality, and thus films continue to explore such themes?
The reality is that we will have to keep making these films for many more years in the foreseeable future, whether we like it or not. The degree to which I personally connect with Ahana may not be paramount; what’s crucial is that the audience will connect. At KIFF, people related to it. For instance, Promita recalled a moment from the Jagran Film Festival, when a man approached her to share that he identified with Joy’s character. While the film may not resonate with my individual experiences, it holds a mirror to our society as a whole. Male infertility remains a significant issue in relationships of married couples, yet it’s often shrouded in silence. The trailer features a line where Ahana shares her joy about being featured on a hoarding, to which her husband retorts that even ads for men’s innerwear find a display on hoardings. Promita shared with us while filming that it was a real-life dialogue of a very successful woman and her husband that she added to the script.
As a career-oriented woman balancing the nuances of motherhood, my personal experiences diverge from Ahana’s narrative. Throughout my life, the men who have surrounded me — my father, husband, and male friends — have never cast doubt on my ambitions or suggested that my gender should limit my pursuits. My father instilled in me the value of independence, urging me to stand on my own two feet and to marry someone only if I like him, regardless of his financial standing. My husband offers suggestions on my attire and looks if I ask him; he stands outside the venue of my shows to catch the audience’s reactions. His neutrality allows him to gather genuine feedback. He says he loves listening to the compliments we receive and he enjoys doing it.
Ahana, on the other hand, shares a lot with her father-in-law — a relationship I find familiar, reminiscent of my own friendship with my husband and brother-in-law. Yet, Ahana is a quiet soul, enveloped in loneliness, silently enduring humiliation. This contrasts sharply with my own demeanour; I thrive on the energy of those around me. But now I often look for moments of solitude. I do want to spend some time alone(laughs). Recently, in the wake of my show Lakh Takar Lokkhi Labh, women on the street are walking up to me for an embrace… I cherish this human connection yet seek brief moments of solitude. I spend some me-time on my rooftop… but Ahana’s world is just about writing and her solitude.
We get a glimpse of a friendship in the trailer that probably rescues her from her loneliness for a while…
Yes! While married life is one aspect of our existence, friendship exists on a different plane. For individuals like Ahana who experience loneliness, friendships become indispensable. These bonds don’t have to be limited to male friends. In my own circle, there are a few cherished friends with whom my family is well-acquainted. If I receive a call at 2am, my husband, Abhishek, knows exactly who is on the other end. There are times I may be feeling down and refuse to discuss it at home, Abhishek will reach out to my friend to check on me. He understands the importance of these connections.
How did you prepare to play Ahana, who has quite a few shades to her, balancing various relationships in her life…
In my journey to understand the essence of Ahana, I found myself captivated by her relentless pursuit of freedom through her craft. Writing isn’t just her profession; it’s her passion and makes her feel free. While I share some aspects of her passion, my experience is markedly different. I have a supportive husband at home — something I deeply appreciate — but I can’t help but wonder how daunting it would be to navigate the work I do without that stability. Ahana expresses through her written words, she chooses silence in most situations. Her solitude becomes a sanctuary, where she converses with her thoughts on the pages of her notepad.
With your kind of experience in the industry, has preparing for a character become more effortless over time?
No, for me, it has become far more intricate. In the early days of my career, everything felt like uncharted territory. Now, after years of immersing myself in various roles, I’ve learned that the stakes are higher. There’s a palpable expectation that comes with experience; thus, I am compelled to dig deeper and strive harder. My goal is to ensure that no two characters I portray bear a striking resemblance to one another. I have to put in extra care in the preparation process now. When I choose a role, I always see whether I have anything to perform, and now, I also see whether I’m repeating myself or not. Whether the screenplay has scope for me to perform, and whether the director is making the film honestly, is important to me.
It is your second film with Joy Sengupta. What was your experience of having him as a co-actor, and what are your hopes for Ahana in the theatres?
I loved performing with him. He is so good. We have been friends and colleagues for long but we have not worked much. In this film, he is splendid. It is not me but it is him who shines bright with his performance. My only hope is for the audience to come and ask others to come and watch. Now a film’s fate is decided within the first few days of its release. Even the biggest of the stars pushes the promotions to a level where the first weekend performance is all that matters. Everything depends on the number. But I don’t think this is a film that Promita made keeping in mind numbers or what the market wants; she made the film keeping in mind what she wants to share with the audience.
But we still hope the film does well... whichever festival the film has travelled to, we have received a lot of praise. It is a very different film. The film has no background score throughout and as she (Promita) is a poet herself, the film has that lyrical quality, too. We don’t know how long the film will last in the theatres amidst other blockbusters… but we hope for the best. We never thought that Aapish would run in the theatres for seven weeks. If Ahana achieves that, I will be extremely happy because films like these are also necessary.
