SHOOJIT ON HIS FOCUS ON ‘DAUGHTER-FATHER’ NARRATIVES: ‘ABHISHEK AND I ARE FATHERS TO DAUGHTERS…’ | EXCLUSIVE
Last Updated: November 22, 2024, 03:51 IST
Shoojit Sircar highlights a crucial distinction between his films Piku and I Want To Talk, despite both exploring the father-daughter dynamic. Themes of death and grief resonate deeply within Shoojit’s cinematic world, evident in works like Piku, October, and his latest project, I Want To Talk. This film, starring Abhishek Bachchan, adds to the poignant exploration of loss and suffering that Shoojit has unintentionally woven through his narratives.
I Want To Talk tells the story of a man who faced laryngeal cancer, endured over 20 surgeries, and persevered even when doctors had given up hope. His complex relationship with his daughter evolves as she comes to terms with the seriousness of his condition. In an exclusive interview with News18 Showsha, Shoojit shares how delving into these themes has been a healing experience for him. “It’s cathartic because death is the ultimate truth that we cannot avoid. While it’s natural to want to deny it, finding humor in it can be beautiful,” he explains.
Discussing how these creative endeavors have helped him accept mortality, he states, “If I don’t confront it, I’ll be consumed by fear, which we must eventually let go of. I created I Want To Talk because I believe that embracing death allows you to confront everything else. Arjun (Abhishek’s character) faced numerous challenges and his life was a tumultuous journey, yet he persevered.”
He also mentions that even his earlier project, Shoebite, which marked his first collaboration with Amitabh Bachchan, touched on similar themes. “I have a fascination with death, and it’s evident in my past films like Piku, October, and Sardar Udham. Shoebite, though unreleased, also dealt with this subject. Death captivates me because it is an inevitable part of life,” the director remarks.
Interestingly, both Piku and I Want To Talk center around father-daughter relationships. When asked about this, he notes, “One might see a connection between Bhaskor (in Piku) and Arjun, as they are portrayed by a real-life father-son duo, but they also converge in their awkwardness, irritability, confusion, and their tendency to impart wisdom (chuckles).”
However, Shoojit emphasizes a significant difference between the two films: “In Piku, it was the father nurturing the daughter, whereas in this film, I believe the daughter plays a pivotal role in guiding the father. Each time she enters the scene, she influences his life. She helps him grow as a person, offering insights through her expressions as she attempts to close the emotional gap between them. He grasped some of her cues but missed others, making mistakes in their relationship without realizing it.”
When asked about his affinity for these daughter-father narratives, Shoojit clarifies, “These are actually daughter-father stories. I have two daughters who are the ones steering my life now. They are the primary decision-makers. Abhishek has a daughter, my writer Ritesh Shah has a daughter, and my producer Ronnie Lahiri has a daughter too; we’re all proud fathers of daughters (smiles).”
October, Piku
Shoojit Sircar
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First Published: November 22, 2024, 03:51 IST
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