Close-Up

NANDITA DAS
Committed

She’s immensely talented and interested only in sensible films. She’s earthy and eloquent. She can set the screen on fire and create a splash on Varanasi’s ghats. In the last 13 years, Nandita Das who refuses to conform to any rules, has done only 14 films. In different languages. Starting with Prakash Jha’s Pariniti way back in 1987, she found a medium for creative expression through street theatre and Safdar Hashmi’s Jan Natya Manch before moving to television. In the last couple of years she has made quite an impression on the big screen with controversial films like Fire, Earth and the now-shelved Water. Today, this sensitive young actress who has a masters degree in social work and has even taught at Rishi Valley, has made her own niche in show business. With films like Bhawander, Aks, Laal Salaam and Pitah to look forward to, Nandita is slowly but surely inching towards new heights. Screen caught up with the reclusive actress at Wai near Mahabaleshwar, where she was shooting for Mahesh Manjrekar’s Pitah with Sanjay Dutt, and pinned her down to a rare interview. Excerpts:

You said once that you wanted to work in films in all languages. Any special reasons?
I said I would work in films in any language so long as I was comfortable doing them. But more than the language, it’s the role that’s important. It should be challenging enough. It should help me grow as an actress, hit me as a human being, touch my sensibilities. As long as I get a role that gives me the opportunity to showcase my talent I grab it irrespective of whether it’s in Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu or Assamese. I’ve even done a Gujarati film and it wasn’t all that difficult because my mom is a Gujarati (smiles).

How do you view regional cinema?
Well, all regional films are not doing well. Some regions are just aping Hindi mainstream cinema and saying very little for themselves. Such films can’t help me but fortunately, there are certain states that still make meaningful and sensible films and I’d love to be a part of such films.

Even though there are few takers for such films?
Well, mainstream cinema may have taken centrestage today but I think we owe it to the people of our country to at least use the medium of films to highlight certain issues and incidents that make them sit up and think and generate public opinion. I’m not trying to take up cudgels for pretentious art films, but I think sensible parallel cinema can be of some help to the country. There’s so much about everyday life that depresses me. Things that will never cease to be so unless we can whip up social consciousness. And that’s where such films come in.

A lot of stars work towards being accepted as part of mainstream cinema while you seem to shun it for small-budget regional films. Why?
For me there’s no difference between Hindi films and regional films. I want to be a part of good cinema. Period. I know you’re pampered a lot when working in a big-budget set-up. I’m aware that Hindi films have a wider reach. But where are the films that excite me? (Smiles) However, I haven’t given up hope yet. Times are changing. And I’m optimistic to believe I’ll come across filmmakers who really care for the medium, who are ready to experiment with niche cinema and make sure it’s seen. I feel actresses like me will get some work.

Could your refusal to be a part of the commercial set-up have anything to do with the fact that for a Hindi film heroine looks and glamour scores over talent?
Well, yes, looks and glamour are what counts when you’re working in a commercial film. But for me that’s not important. For me what’s all-important is that the role should be meaningful. I’ve never believed in compartmentalising cinema. For me it doesn’t matter whether a film is an art film or a commercial film. What does is whether it’s a good film or a bad one. But sadly, such distinctions are important to the media. When I signed Mahesh Manjrekar’s Pitah everyone started saying that Nandita Das had made the transition to commercial films. I really don’t know how to react to such observations. Is commercial cinema the fiefdom of a few? Have I ever said I’d never work in a bigger set-up and be confined only to small-budget, serious cinema? If I get a good offer why would I refuse it? The role in Pitah was very challenging. It really touched my heart and I’m sure it will strike a chord with the audience too. It’s through films like Bawandar and Pitah that I can relate to society.

What’s Pitah all about?
I can’t divulge too many details but it’s the story of the oppression of the weaker sections of society. It’s a very emotional film and I’m sure anyone who sees it will be moved by it.

What’s it like playing the wife of the Big B in Aks?
It’s a role with a lot of shades and I’m really enjoying myself. In all these years I’ve never thought my age would be a problem in essaying a role. To be frank, I’ve never wanted to play my age, ever. I’ve seen heroines retire in their 30s because they were bored of doing the same kind of roles, yet not bold enough to try out something new.I wouldn’t want to be in a situation like that.

One of your forthcoming films, Laal Salaam is reportedly based on a real life naxalite. Sounds interesting.
(Smiling) It is. The character isn’t inspired by a real person but the film is a collection of real incidents. In fact, there are certain characters in the film who’re still operating in the jungles. There was something about the character that urged me to do the film. I went to some naxal areas and met with a few people. And instantly I had an idea how to play the girl. I’m a woman too, and I reacted the way I would and she would in a given situation. It was so easy, so natural perhaps because the role had some substance to it and the girl was saying the kind of things I would want to say. There was a bond between us.

You sound more like an activist than an actress?
(Smiles) Well, I am a social activist, that’s my chosen vocation. Acting was never a profession, only an interest. I have worked with a few NGOs like Ankur and Alarippu. I am very sensitive to certain issues and would like to take up for them like any responsible citizen of this country. Life has become so mechanical that people don’t want to look into others problems but I can never be so non-committal to the needs of society.

Is that why you’ve opted to stay in Delhi rather than move to Mumbai’s wonderworld?
I stayed away from Mumbai because I didn’t want Bollywood to influence me unduly. I knew I’d never be happy running around trees. I have decided I’ll never work in a film that portrays woman as a stereotype. Some one who’s like a doormat. But at the same time I don’t want to be stuck with pretentious art films. I chose to remain in Delhi because I wanted to be away from all the hype, the gossip and the self-promotional campaigns. I wanted to be amongst friends and family who would stop me from making the wrong move.

Were you disappointed when Water was shelved?
Of course. So much preparation had gone into the film. I would have been happy if the issue hadn’t been blown out of proportion. A handful of people acted like the culture police and passed judgements against the film. But tell me, how can a few people judge what is right and what is wrong? It’s like snatching away the constitutional rights of the majority. I think the media is also partly to blame for playing up the whole issue. I remember a few journalists who were covering the controversy telling us that they wanted the issue to further snowball so that they could have a nice, juicy story everyday. I think people should have at least gone through the script before raising their voice against the film. The whole incident was very disturbing.

One final question. How do you feel about your startling resemblance to Smita Patil?
(With a hearty laugh) If you think I resemble her I’ll take it as a compliment. Personally I’ve never thought I looked like her. She was a great artiste and I’d love to do the kind of films she did. I respect her and her accomplishments. But please don’t compare us. I still have a long way to go.

Padmaraj Nair
Raajnair99@hotmail.com


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