New Delhi, Oct. 15 -- Srijit Mukherji's Bengali directorial debut, 'Autograph', was released during Durga Puja in 2010 and went on to change the trajectory of contemporary Bengali cinema. Since then, the multiple National Award-winning filmmaker has made Puja releases something of a tradition, delivering several box-office successes along the way. Almost three years after the blockbuster thriller 'Dawshom Awbotaar', Srijit returns to the festive season with 'Emperor Vs Sarat Chandra'. The film pays tribute to Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's revolutionary novel 'Pather Dabi', revisiting a chapter in Bengal's history shaped by nationalism, dissent and the struggle for freedom.
With two back-to-back releases, 'Winkle Twinkle' and now 'Emperor Vs Sarat Chandra', the filmmaker speaks to 'Millennium Post' about censorship, creative freedom and the legacy he hopes to leave behind.
'Padatik', 'Shotyi Bole Shotyi Kichhu Nei', 'Winkle Twinkle' and now 'Emperor Vs Sarat Chandra', a tribute to Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's revolutionary novel 'Pather Dabi' in its centenary year. Is this the 'political phase' of your career?
'Padatik', 'Shotyi Bole Shotyi Kichhu Nei' and 'Winkle Twinkle' can be considered a political trilogy. 'But Emperor Vs Sarat Chandra' belongs more to the world of 'Rajkahini'. I would also place it in the same zone as 'Jaatiswar' and 'Lawho Gouranger Naam Rey', where I have woven together different timelines. In 'Emperor Vs Sarat Chandra', I have juxtaposed two journeys, that of the author, played by Tota Roy Choudhury and that of Sabyasachi, the revolutionary protagonist of 'Pather Dabi', played by Abir Chatterjee. The novel was banned by the British administration in 1927. Both characters are fighting against colonial power.
There seems to be a shift in your cinema towards re-examining Bengali culture and political history.
No, I wouldn't call it a shift. I have always done that. In my Bengali debut, 'Autograph', I re-examined Satyajit Ray's 'Nayak' through the lens of the morals and ideals of 2010. I have revisited history and legacy in films such as 'Ek Je Chhilo Raja', 'Gumnaami' and 'Lawho Gouranger Naam Rey', the three also forming my disappearance trilogy. I reopened the wounds of Partition in 'Rajkahini', adapted Sankar's 'Chowringhee' and re-examined Kolkata in 'Shahjahan Regency'. I have made romantic films and thrillers, returned to my childhood heroes 'Feluda' and 'Kakababu' and adapted 'Sherlock Holmes' for pan-Indian audiences. I have also made the sports biopic 'Shabaash Mithu' and explored environmental themes in 'Sherdil'.
I have been able to move across these genres because my tastes and preferences are varied. I consume an incredible range of books, films and series. That is why there is both a populist side to me and a niche side.
The footage of my political trilogy will be played on TV when I die. Films such as 'Yeti Obhijaan', 'Dawshom Awbotaar', 'Baishe Srabon' and 'Zulfiqar' have been bigger box-office hits. But 'Winkle Twinkle', 'Shotyi Bole Shotyi Kichhu Nei', 'Padatik', 'Gumnaami', 'Jaatiswar' and 'Emperor Vs Sarat Chandra' will be regarded as some of my finest work. Of course, the box office offers immediate gratification and serves as one measure of success. But I also make films for posterity.
You made your debut as a lyricist long time ago. With 'Emperor Vs Sarat Chandra', you have now made your debut as a composer.
I think the desire to compose music had been simmering beneath the surface for a long time. I took all these years to strengthen my foundation, learn and prepare myself. Eventually, I felt this was the right film with which to embark on a new adventure.
Four Bengali films are releasing this Puja and yours seem to have the least theatrical clout.
Yes, my film is up against very old and powerful players. But considering its budget and the way it has turned out, I believe it could be the dark horse of the Puja season, particularly in terms of ROI. As we saw last Puja, a big budget does not necessarily guarantee success. In fact, the higher the budget, the greater the risk of a film becoming a loss-making venture. Ultimately, a film's ROI is crucial to determining whether it is a hit.
Censorship & More
Your film revolves around nationalism, resistance, censorship and the relationship between the individual and the state. These themes seem particularly relevant to the current political climate.
I think the most important thing is that the film will generate conversations around the culture of bans. Can you silence the pen? Can you gag a creative or artistic voice? Sarat Chandra challenged the power. He wrote 'Pather Dabi', a book that shook the British Empire.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.