Barah Aana

The recently concluded Pune International Film Festival was an occasion for some noteworthy appearances by film makers. One such film maker seen at the event was the maker of “Barah Anna”, Raja Menon sharing his thoughts. Speaking about his experiences during the making of the film Menon said, “In the process of making this film, I learned that cinema is not one person's medium. Everyone’s voice counts, may it be the producer, the camera man, the actors or any member of the unit. Every one's opinion leads to the final result.”

He went on to reveal how he conceived the idea for Barah Anna. “I used to see my watchman everyday and slowly, I started to interact with him and as I got to know him better, I realized that there isn’t much of a difference between him and me. Except for the fact that there was a difference in how much we earned. But at the end of the day, both of us were chasing a dream. And that’s what urged me to make this film.”

Also present was the star of the film Naseeruddin Shah. Speaking about his experiences of working with the younger generation of directors he said, “I definitely feel that the young generation of directors is more advanced in their craft. They also have a benefit as they are born in a more technically advanced age. Now the people they are working with are also more exposed. When we were young getting a photograph clicked was also an event, but kids nowadays are more used to cameras so the awkwardness is less. Directors nowadays talk of issues that directly concern us. The use of language has seen advancement too. Even in the times of my debut the films portrayed characters speaking chaste Hindi. Nowadays characters speak the colloquial language, the sort of ‘khichdi’ language that we speak. I was anxiously waiting for an age in cinema when the ‘khichdi’ language would be brought on screen. I am glad that the younger generation is doing that and I am glad to be a part of it.”

Producer of Barah Anna, Raj said, “I was keen to do this film because just halfway through the script, I was curious about the end. And now I am happy to be a part of the film. Another reason was that I felt this was an unique film with a fresh perspective.” Anuraddha Shetty, the production designer of the film and also Raja Menon’s wife added, “I knew the story since it’s inception so I already had visuals ready in my mind. The look as well as the design.”

During the course of the conversation, Naseeruddin Shah also shared what he felt about the public response to the film at PIFF. “There was surely a lot of applause, but I do not get carried away with it. I know that the audience is not applauding you it is applauding the dream that you are presenting to them in the form of your character in the film.” And what is it that drives him to sign a film? “I work on instinct. I can’t say I have always been right. You cannot always get an accurate idea about the film from the script.”

With someone as seasoned as Shah, there could be issues working with younger directors. But Shah insists he never had any clashes with them. “In fact, I might have had more thought clashes with veteran directors than the new age ones. And I can claim that no other actor has worked with so many new time directors as many as I have.”

Is this what being a director’s actor means? “I think it is the actor’s responsibility to deliver the directors vision. I prefer it if a director sees a character in me than I having to select my own work. I would any day trust the director’s judgment over mine.”

The film also stars other acclaimed actors like Vijay Raaz. Speaking about Raaz, Shah said, “Vijay Raaz can not only flawlessly and effortlessly represent the common man on screen but he can moreover present an abstract point of view of the common man. It will be a pity if the industry will not recognize him.”

The commercial cinema and the parallel cinema differences are dissolving, how do you feel about that? “I am very happy that these differences are dissolving. Anyhow I feel it is an artificial discrimination. Everyone in the industry gets slotted against their will. I feel every film is commercial, because every film has a producer who has invested in the project and is looking forward to recovery of the amount! I hope a day comes when the distinction will disappear.”

Shah has recently appeared in another film that focuses on the common man and the angst felt by him in the wake of the political machinery in the country appearing toothless. And he thinks that there is a common thread running between “A Wednesday” and Barah Anna. “Yes, there surely is, because they are real. I do not believe in films as a medium of education. Films are a medium of recording that particular time in which they are made. If 100 years from now someone wants to know what the 2000’s were like and if they find Barah Anna or A Wednesday they will surely not be getting a wrong picture of this time.”

But why Naseeruddin for the role of Shukla? “The character of Shukla was such that he had to keep quiet for half the film. He had to speak through his body language and not words. I could not think of anyone else but Naseeruddin Shah. And halfway through the film I knew I had taken the right decision,” said Menon.

Working with someone as methodical, experienced and skilled as Shah could be daunting for the co-stars. But the unit of Barah Anna didn’t seem to face any such issues. “We held a rehearsal workshop for two weeks before we started shooting. This broke the ice between the entire unit and a lot of things for the film changed as well. The script evolved in ways we had not thought of before. It did the film a lot of good,” said Menon.

With classics like Baaton Baaton Mein, Rajanigandha and others that have depicted the life of a common man in unique and effective ways, Barah Anna aims to do the same. The story addresses universal issues that the characters represent and this could be the film’s biggest winner added Shah. It’s one film that we are looking forward to for sure!