For generations, Muslim craftspersons in Banaras have been contributing to the architecture of the temples in the holy city. Highlighting their craft as well as the syncretic traditions of the city, Zaigham Imam has come up with Nakkash (The Craftsman). Released last week, the film has got an encouraging response from critics .
In 2014, Zaigham saw for the first time Muslim craftsmen working in the temples. He was so fascinated that he expressed his desire to make a documentary on them. It represented secular India and he wanted to weave this aspect into the story. “However, those craftspersons refused to come on the camera. They were afraid that this could create controversies within their community.”
This led him to the story of Nakkash where the protagonist Alla Rakkha (Inamnulhaq) struggles to reconcile his religious identity with his craft.
Interestingly, Zaigham’s last two films Dozakh: In Search of Heaven and Alif were also made against the backdrop of Banaras. Nakkash completes the trilogy of his stories set around the holy city. The Information and Broadcasting Ministry chose the film to represent the spirit of communal harmony in India by unveiling the film’s first look at the India Pavilion in Cannes last month.
Making films laced with secularism: Zaigham Imam
Excerpts:
Share with us the journey of making this interesting film
Sadly, a lot of film lovers these days don’t have taste for alternative cinema. But, I thoroughly enjoy the experience of making this kind of cinema. This is evident from my last two films. I am also really blessed to find like-minded people, in terms of producers, actors and the team. All of them shared my vision. This contributed in making this film an enjoyable exercise.
What was the challenge?
In today’s time, when cinema is used as a tool for entertainment with love songs, glamour quotient, it was really tough for me to convince the producers for such a subject. It also entailed making a set of temple and shooting some parts on location. But once everyone came to know what we are about to do, then it didn’t remain my dream alone. The hard-work and sleepless nights of the whole team helped in realising my dream.
Tell us about the message of the film
No matter which community you belong to, if you do bad things, you are a bad person and vice-versa. An important segment of the film is the conversation between Alla Rakkha and his son.
Tell us about the casting
We brought back the ‘Filmistaan-trio’ Inaamulhaq, Sharib Hashmi and Kumud Mishra along with the remarkable Rajesh Sharma. It was still a challenge to make “Nakkash” a commercially viable project because we had to give the film, the look and the treatment of a commercial film and still keep the soul of alternative cinema alive.
How was it like working with Inaamulhaq and Kumud Mishra?
Inaamulhaq actually went to observe how Banaras craftsmen work . He learnt intricacies of their work for the title role. Inaamulhaq belongs to Saharanpur, which has a lot of conservative people.
He said that playing such a character had been a spiritual journey for him. He has done a remarkable job in the film, which has already won a best actor award at the DC South Asian Film Festival, US. I am sure his performance will take him places.
Working with Kumud, who plays the priest in the film, is like watching a perfect dance performance. He knows his character inside down and hence the result is far better than what you expect.
