4 hours agoAuthor: Ashish Tiwari
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Director Shoojit Sarkar is known for its experimental films. Shoojit, who made his directorial debut with the film ‘Here’ in 2005, has given Bollywood in more than one film. These include films like ‘Vicky Donor’, ‘Piku’, ‘Pink’, ‘October’, ‘Sardar Udham Singh’.
Ayushmann Khurrana and Yami Gautam starrer film ‘Vicky Donor’ has been released on 18 April. After 13 years, the audience will be able to see the film again in the theater. The film’s director Shoojit Sarkar himself gave information about it on Instagram. On this special occasion, Shoojit has shared his memories about the film from Dainik Bhaskar.
Question- Your film ‘Vicky Donor’ has been released on 18 April. What memories are associated with this film?
I started working on ‘Vicky Donor’ at a time when I had a bad condition of two films. One of my films was never released and the other flopped badly. That too due to floods in Mumbai. Eight years later, a film was being released, that too on the subject like sperm donation. I was very nervous. It seemed that even my third film should not reject the audience.
Sperm donation, infertility is the real issue in our society, I also feared that the audience should not take it like a comedy film. My fear proved to be wrong when the film was released. I started getting people’s calls. Many hospitals and doctors told me that the film has brought awareness to people.
Question- What challenge did you have to face in making this film?
See, I did not pitch this film with many people. He took the film to two big actor. He did not spoil my film. He enjoyed reading the script, he laughed. But the subject found him risky. He did not dare to yes the film. He was afraid of his image. However, his reaction brought more confidence to me that I am doing it right.
Question- How was Ayushmann Khurrana selected for the film?
When the big actors refused for the film, casting director Jogi Malang told me about Ayushman. He told me that the theater is a new boy from the background. He has done MTV Roadies and is also RJ. Because of the theater, I agreed to meet Ayushmann.
When Ayushman came to my office, I remembered that I had seen it in TV. After talking to him in the first meeting, I started feeling the connection. I told him that I am making a film on a subject, which you may refuse to hear it. I told him the idea and gave him to read the script. The next day he came and he said that he would do this film. I also asked him if you will not leave the film in the middle? Ayushmann did not reply, Dada, I liked it very much.
Question- The song ‘Pani Da Rang’ of the film is still in people’s mind. How did that song become?
After the role of the role, Ayushmann told me the song ‘Pani the Rang’. I liked it very much. He told that he and his friend composed this song. I told him that the film is also your sequence with a guitar, so we use this song. Then he said Dada, I have made only four lines and who will sing it? I told him that you have a song, you sing. Also make a front line. In this way this song was included in the film.
Question- Annu Kapoor’s role in the film is very interesting. Did you really see such a doctor?
Yes, there is a Parsi doctor in Mumbai, who received inspiration for the role of Annu Kapoor. What should I tell about them. The words you and you cannot even think of speaking, they speak in such conversations. I have been a big fan of Annu Kapoor. What a wonderful performance he has given in ‘Ek Taraya Hua Decision’.
Question- You also went to Ompuri for the role of Annu Kapoor and he refused.
Yes, I had first taken the role of Dr. Balwant Chadha with Ompuri ji. His reaction was whether Bollywood is ready for such films? I explained to them that Sir this is not a double meaning film. This subject is written with great simplicity and dignity. The humor of the film is also science packed. While giving briefing to Sir, I told that Dr. Balwant Chadha is not doing a similar comedy. He is a professional doctor, who will talk keeping science in mind.
Question- ‘Vicky Donor’ is a change in society. Have you ever found someone who shared his emotional story with you?
There are many not one. The film was released in 2012, I still receive letters and emails. At the time when this film was made, this was the subject taboo. The couple who did not have children were afraid to talk about fertility or sperm donation in the family. Now they talk openly. This has been the biggest change. I met a lawyer, who looks at legal things in sperm donation. He told me that he could not get time after this film. They have so many cases.
Question- The film has a mother-in-law scene, in which both drink together. Was that story of your house?
Yes, I offered a drink to my mother. At that time my father was ill. My mother said that she cannot drink in front of her father. Then I gave a drink in steel glass. I told this to the writer of the film Juhi Chaturvedi and said that they do something with the role of BG and Dolly ji. When both of them came to know, they said that Shoojit let us make this scene. In real life, both Dolly and BG do not drink but what amazing performance they gave.
Question- ‘Vicky Donor’ gave direction to Ayushman and Yami’s career. Anything that you would like to share?
Yes, even today when we talk, it is necessary to mention Vicky Donor. Both Ayushmann and Yami say that the film gave him recognition. I feel very proud. Infect Annu Kapoor ji still tells me that you will not have the courage to make the film that you made. Four days ago, he said this again and made me emotional. I just thank you.
Question- Would you like to say something to the fans on this special occasion?
The trend of this release has started, it is getting wonderful in the industry in itself. We should celebrate it. I will tell the fans that not only ‘Vicky Donor’, celebrating whatever films are being released, celebrate them. Those who did not see this film in the hall at that time, will ask them to go to the hall and see it necessary. The fun of seeing in the hall is something else.