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Known to the audiences world over as a compact perfomer, Nandita Das has
come up with another strong performance in a Pakistani film titled Ramchand
Pakistani. The film was screened at Osian's Cinefan Film Festival in New
Delhi. Ramchand Pakistani is an Urdu film based on a true story of a dalit
boy living in Pakistan. Acclaimed actress of films like Fire, Earth,
Bawander and Nallu Pennugal has acted in over 30 films in ten different
languages. Headlines India correspondent Kriti Verma spoke to her about her
latest film, directorial venture and her life. Excerpts: |
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 You have been associated with Osian's Cinefan for long now. How do you
find this place to be at? |
| Nandita: It's been a wonderful experience at the Film Festival. Osian's is
terrific. I have been coming here every year and watching movies as an
audience for quite sometime now. It's the most comfortable place I have
ever been. Also, when you have an opportunity to watch so many movies that
too from different regions and countries under one roof then what better do
you expect. There can not be a better place than Osian's for cinema lovers. |
| Tell us something about Ramchand Pakistani and your character in the
film? |
| Nandita: It is about a Hindu Dalit family living on the Indian Pakistan
border. Ramchand is a seven year old boy, who along with his father
accidentally crosses the border and enters into India. The story revolves
around this family. I play Champa, a Hindu Dalit woman from Pakistan's
Sindh region. For rest, you need to see the movie. |
| What is your opinion about low budget films? |
| Nandita: It gives small time filmmakers an opportunity to showcase their
talent and potential. I believe that money does not make a film, it's talent
that does the trick. |
| People believe you look down upon mainstream films... |
| Nandita: No, I don't. It is just that I don't relate myself to it, so I
don't go for it. |
| Tell us about your directorial debut? |
| Nandita: The film is called Firaaq- In Such Times. It is an ensemble of five
stories reflecting emotions, relationships, reaction and helplessness. |
| It is your first directorial venture, what was your experience like? |
| Nandita: I was exhausted while making the film because I had to look after
everything of the film. |
| Tell us about the cast... |
| Nandita: It has Naseeruddin Shah, Paresh Rawal, Raghubir Yadav, Deepti
Naval, Sanjay Suri, Tisca Chopra and many others who have given their best. |
| The filmmaker you admire the most? |
| Nandita: I have too many favourite directors whose films I have liked. Also,
I have worked with nearly 30 filmmakers and when there are so many good
directors why would I choose any one. |
| Which is your favourite film? |
| Nandita: There are no favourites on my list. We have variety of everything,
why to choose any one from so much. |
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| By Kriti Verma |
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