Interviewed By: Goher Iqbal Punn (Bollywood Analyst)
The brain behind the quirky humour and deep emotions of ‘Khosla Ka Ghosla’, director Dibakar Banerjee slips in few details about his debut venture that releases this Friday September 22, 06
How did you conceive this idea of the movie ‘Khosla ka Ghosla’?
Jaideep Sahni, writer of Company, Jungle, Bunty aur Bubbly, called me and introduced me to the producer, Tandav Films, Savita Raj Hiremath. Together we dreamed up a vision of a film based in Delhi, with characters, settings and situations typical of Delhi. It all started with Savita’s brief – can we do something on generations – of families, of values, lifestyles – and their clashes? Out of our families and their various funny and not so funny situations came the foundation of the Khosla family. Khurana is a synthesis of all that I love to hate about Delhi. But more than the plot details – it’s the characters, their motivations, the detailing -that’s what we were clear would be the real core of Khosla and that’s how it began.
Being a debutant what was your reason not opting for mainstream commercial Hindi movie pattern?
I did not think about what was mainstream or what was not at the time we started. I was too innocent for that. All I knew was that my best bet was to tell my story my way. With my take on the characters and their actions and motivations. Frankly I would still do the same again.
You being a Bengali why have you chosen the backdrop as Delhi? What preparations did u do to get the typical north Indian Delhi tone in your film?
I was born and brought up in inner city Delhi – Karol Bagh. I speak Punjabi and Haryanvi almost as well as my mother tongue. I know the characters and settings of Khosla like the back of my hand. You can say my life was the preparation for Khosla. Right from my home in déclassé west Delhi to my girlfriend’s in some PG dig deep in the pockets of Green Park, the hot and dusty look – all of it found its way in Khosla. There’s even a scene shot showing the famous Delhi power cut – I used the device shamelessly to increase the dramatic tension in the scene.
How did you convince both Anupam and Boman Irani to act in your first movie? Please also share some of the interesting memories or incidents with them during the film shooting or in your interactions with them before when you narrated them the story/ script etc.
Within one hour of my narration to Anupam – he became Khosla. He transformed from the confident, wisecracking man of the world he is to the fumbling, worrywart Khosla. That was it. Boman wasn’t very convinced initially whether he would be able to do a crass, loudmouthed North Indian with complete reality with a first time director. It was Jaideep who convinced him. We had to give Boman a reference for his look, speech, body language and accent. My assistant came up with an idea of actually taping a real broker talking about his tricks of the trade in a freewheeling interview with a hidden camera and the result is for everyone to see.
Tell something about the music of the film. Are they situational, lip sync or background music?
I knew that the music of the Khosla will have to tell the STORY than come in as an extraneous dream sequence or item number. This was not that kind of film. That’s why the music was born in the edit. Each piece of music you hear in the film was put in as reference (ranging from sources as varied as Simon and Garfunkel to Blur to Gurdas Mann) right at the offline stage. Each character has its theme that comes back when they reappear.
What reactions have you got so far? What expectation you have from the audience?
My life … kind of flashed in front of my eyes when Govind Nihalani shook my hand and said it was good and sounded as if he meant it. Contemporary director like Madhur Bhandarkar who has carved out their careers on sheer individuality said this was the way to go. When industry giants like Yash Chopra and Shyam Shroff give that approving nod and encouragement to your first output – it’s a great feeling. I think the audience will welcome this small movie with a big, big heart. The brilliant script and the mind-blowing performances will be something they will remember for a long time. I expect to win the heart of India.
|
we are financer we need to talk with DIBAKAR BANERJEE for our coming project my number is 09903404765,
hi debaker
my name is ranju i do not know whether you remember we have studied together in bal bharti public school with puja chawla pankaj to name a few… i would like to be in touch if it is ok and if you remeber this child hood friend.
ranjana
dibakar sir, namashkar mera naam suraj hai aur main aapka tabse fan hoon jab “byomkesh bakshee” aata tha, aapke film “khosla ka ghosla” bahut acche thee sabse alag ye tha ke iske script ek dam alag thee shyad true incident thaa mere pass bhee do teen (alag) type ki script hai agar aapko zorrorat ho to plz contact me on-09377825251.
plzz sir i am waiting for your call.