Harry Sachdeva is making his debut as a writer-producer with what he calls is a sensitive and meaningful film 31st October starring Vir Das and Soha Ali about what happens in the aftermath of the assassination of the late Prime Minister Smt Indira Gandhi in 1984
“CONTENT IS THE STAR”
Jyothi Venkatesh
What is your film 31st October all about?
The date 31st October is a very important date in the history of India when our late Prime Minister Smt Indira Gandhi was assassinated, leading to a tragic repercussion with a Sikh being killed every minute. I wanted to tell the new generation in general about what happened, because though I was just nine or ten years old at that time, it impacted me tremendously. My film has been set in 1984
Did you do extensive research before you set out to launch your film?
When I started doping extensive research on my subject, I was appalled to know that there is a huge widow’s colony in Delhi. I researched for and 18 to 20 months and then wrote my screen-play. Besides being the producer of the film, I am also the screenplay writer of the film. Though I have not assisted anyone in direction earlier, I have to my credit several videos as well as documentaries as a director for NGOs.
What is the USP of your film?
The USP of the film is that it is for the first time in the history of Bollywood in the last 31 years that a mainstream film has been made on a subject like this on national platform. My film has been treated like a thriller. It is a film which can trigger debates nationally as well as internationally. I set out to make this film as my debut film as a writer cum producer because besides the fact that I believe a lot in creativity, I also wanted my first film to be sensitive and meaningful. I believe in driving home a social message which will make the viewer think.
How did you make sure that the film would not reopen wounds?
When I did my research, I came across victims whose stories were very interesting and heart touching. It was also interesting to note that at certain places, the non Sikhs actually sheltered the Sikhs, thus underlining brotherhood and humanity. I am one hundred per cent confident that the film will not reopen wounds but make the viewers ponder about how non violence is a must in today’s society for peaceful co-existence
Why did you not decide to direct your film since you are not only a writer but also the producer?
I needed an experienced director like Shivaji Lotan Patil who had earlier directed award winning Marathi films like Dhag and Halaal because I liked his sensitivity and knew that he would be able to do justice to my project, especially when he cried after he heard the first narration from me.
Vir Das and Soha Ali Khan are not Punjabis! Why did you not opt for saleable stars?
My story is my hero. Besides the fact that as a writer cum producer, I am story-struck and not at all star struck, I feel that frankly bigger stars do not have the time to listen to a new producer. Also you cannot extract good work from bigger stars. If you want an Akshay Kumar to be a part of your project, you have to be ready to wait till 2018. I went ahead with my film with Vir Das and Soha because I believe that content is actually the star of any film. I treat filmmaking not as a business but as an art form. We had to train Soha Ali Khan to get the right diction and Punjabi accent to do justice to her role in my film. I am very happy with the way both Vir and Soha have rendered their performances in my film.
What is your plea to the audiences?
Audience is the king. I am keeping my fingers crossed for the outcome of my film at the box office. My plea to the audiences who want to see good films is that they should not shy away from encouraging new writers who come up with good ideas for good content