The battle to remain who you are

Actor-director Nandita Das on Manto, keeping her integrity, and about films that engage.

Actress and Director Nandita Das. Photo: special arrangement

When Nandita Das speaks, you sit up and listen. Because here is an actor who rarely makes an appearance without a cause she’s fighting for. Who speaks of picking films because she stands by certain values. She’s troubled by the times we live in, feels passionately about the choices she’s made, and speaks her mind.

Her recent appearance in Bengaluru to launch a new range of diamond jewellery in association with Forevermark at Aparanje Jewellers, therefore, came as a surprise. But Nandita explained the endorsement to her desire to back ethical businesses that give back to society, as a matter of responsibility. “Even as an actor, it’s a struggle — how do you keep your integrity when money and economics call the shots?” she asked at a media conference at the launch. “How do you fight that battle where you remain who you are. People always ask me ‘Why don’t you do commercial films?’ They miss the point that you’re doing what you want to do. There are no inner battles because those other things don’t tempt you. You have certain core values you hold to and live by.” Actors sometimes are perceived to be larger than they really are, she admits. “In my choice of films, sometimes I wonder why I did some of them. But I forgive myself for the choices as far as it was done for the right reason. Your intention must be pure.”

The actor, well-known for her performances in films such as

Bhawander, Earth, Fire, Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa, Kannathil Muthamittal, Deveeri, and for her remarkable debut as director with

Firaaq , spoke on the sidelines of the event. She says she likes to direct because she likes to tell her own stories, “otherwise I’m always in others’ stories”. Excerpts:

You’re planning to direct a film on Manto…tell us more about that

Yes, I am directing a film on Saadat Hasan Manto, one of our greatest short story writers from the 1940s. He’s very relevant today because he spoke of the freedom of expression, something we are battling even now. He also wrote elaborately on the role of identities; he was sensitive to the role of women in society and wrote a lot about sex workers. I am working on the script now. I’m going to Cannes with a begging bowl hoping a producer will pick the film (she laughs) . It’s going to be difficult because I’ve been spoilt twice at Cannes as a juror!

Is the film a biopic on Manto?

It’s not a biopic, but spans across 10 crucial years in his life in Bombay and Lahore, as well as the significant years in the life of our countries (India and Pakistan).

You were recently in Lahore to research the film. What exactly did you go looking for?

I went to Lahore to meet Manto’s three daughters. He died at 42, having written over 600 short stories and 100 radio plays for All India Radio (AIR). He was a prolific writer, devastated with the world around him and what was happening. He was an extremely sensitive person, and these things bothered him and he became alcoholic and died early. I met his wife’s sister…there are very few people alive, who knew him well. And they have so many anecdotes, which can’t be found in any book. I thought that would help my film. Moreover, no Indian film has been shot in Lahore and I’m hoping to shoot there for this film.

Does the film have a title yet?

Not yet. The title Manto has been taken by a senior Bollywood filmmaker. I’ve been promised that I will get the title if I make the film first!

What really had makes you pick the roles you do in your acting career?

As actors, you should actually think of your role first, but I think of the whole story. I look at the script as the most important thing. Next comes the director, because how you translate that script is important. Then comes my role, and the fourth factor has to be an intangible vibe that you feel about the whole thing. I’ve done many regional films where the director may not have been able to communicate too well because he speaks a different language, but you see the passion they put into the film! I’ve done many films on impulse, seeing their honesty to their work.

Are you working on any project as an actor now?

I’m reading several scripts but nothing really interesting. An Australian film has come my way; they first asked me to write and act. Then they said write and direct and I said no to direction because I have the Manto film on hand. It will be the first time I’ll be writing for someone else. The film is about the Aboriginal culture – we know so little about native cultures; there have been such historical wrongs against them, even in India. I’ve also worked in Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai (directed by Soumitra Ranade), which is a conceptual remake of the original. Sadly such small films don’t get released; they don’t have a distributor yet.

You’ve often said that you do roles that serve a cause. Does it always have to be that? Mere entertainment won’t do?

I didn’t grow up watching films in my childhood, especially films everyone else did. So I didn’t have a desire to be in it either. Everything I did in my life earlier, during my student days, be it my doing my Masters in Social Work, or doing street plays, have impacted my future choices, so yes, I have anchored towards films with causes. I’d love to do fun comedies; directors have told me I have great comebacks! But my persona or image has become serious, and why not? I’m reacting to the world around me, and that’s the kind of things happening around us. It doesn’t mean I can’t do a thriller or comedy. Action films don’t interest me. But I can’t do mindless entertainment. I don’t like the word entertainment. I like films that engage.