Tanuja Chandra: Censorship is a complete waste of time
Tanuja Chandra, the name behind power-packed films like Dushman (1998) and Sangharsh (1999), is back in action after 10 years. Her short film Silvat was part of the recent Zeal For Unity initiative, which showcased the works of 12 Indian and Pakistani filmmakers.
Tanuja Chandra, the name behind power-packed films like Dushman (1998) and Sangharsh (1999), is back in action after 10 years. Her short film Silvat was part of the recent Zeal For Unity initiative, which showcased the works of 12 Indian and Pakistani filmmakers. SpotboyE caught up with the Zindaggi Rocks (2006) director, who opened up about movies, her hibernation, censorship and much more. Read on:
Where have you been?
I have been working very hard on my scripts. Some scripts work, some don’t -- it takes time. Now, I am ready with my next. But before that, I made Silvat.
There is a gap of almost 10 years (Tanuja’s last outing was Hope & A Little Sugar in 2006)...
There is no dearth of stories, but you have to find the one that connects with you most. I have been searching for a story like that. We were about to start with one production, but that has been put on the backburner for now.
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You had once said that you are happy working when producers don’t interfere. Have you ever faced such a situation?
It’s not a question of interference. The cast, story, commercial viability, music... many calculations go into making a film. But during the making of Silvat, all such calculations were absent. It was all about making a film I love and getting a team that was equally passionate.
How do you think an initiative like Zeal For Unity will help improve Indo-Pak ties?
Wars are happening all over the world, so whatever little we do to promote peace is very important. Whether you make a movie, build a relationship or write a novel, it only enhances understanding. It is very easy to form an opinion about a stranger, but when that stranger opens up and tells his/her story, it touches you.
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Tell us about Silvat...
Silvat is written by Faraz Arif Ansari, a youngster who is just starting out as an independent artiste. It’s the story of a lonely lower middle-class woman, whose husband is away in the Middle East.
What is your next project?
I have written something, but can’t talk about it at this point. All I can say is, the story is inspired by love and searching for that special someone who will make your life a little less lonely.
Bollywood is all about numbers now; good content often struggles to make money...
The economics of filmmaking cannot be overlooked, but the longing to tell beautiful stories can’t be ignored either. We have to be creative enough to work within the constraints -- that’s the more exciting part.
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Big names or lesser-known actors with good content -- what would you prefer?
It all depends on the story, who you would like to cast and who you can actually get. Even the most successful filmmaker and biggest banner won’t get everything perfect all the time. I am well aware of the numbers, I can’t only talk about idealism. A filmmaker needs to balance both.
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Censorship has become a big issue...
I think censorship is a complete waste of time. It is silly to tell an adult that he/she cannot watch certain things. Why should someone else decide on his/her behalf? Censorship is a way of telling people that they haven’t grown up. The worst thing is keeping censorship rules in mind while penning the script. It breaks the flow and stops one’s mind from soaring.
So, what should the Central Board of Film Certification do?
They should simply set an age limit for watching certain kind of films. There’s no need to take something out of a film and replace it with something else. It makes society super-cautious all the time. Censorship should be more sane and practical.
Personally, what inspires you?
In real life, I am a very emotional person and tears flow very often, but it’s not easy to create those tears in someone else’s eyes. I love to watch horror, thriller, comedy and romantic films, but it’s a film’s emotional quotient that touches me the most. That’s what I seek.
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