After Nati Binodini, enter Draupadi. Film journalist-turned-filmmaker Ram Kamal Mukherjee has started research for his next film — on the most feisty woman in the Mahabharata — even as he’s putting the finishing touches to his forthcoming film on Binodini Dasi, the legendary stage performer of Bengal. The common link between the two films is Rukmini Maitra, who is playing both the characters.
Ram Kamal — whose film Ek Duaa starring Esha Deol got a Special Mention at the 69th National Awards — spoke to us about his upcoming film, Draupadi, on casting Rukmini and on actor Dev as producer.
What prompted you to choose Draupadi as your subject?
Ram Kamal Mukherjee: It has always been my dream to adapt the Mahabharata for the big screen. At the same time, I was sceptical about how to execute it as it’s an epic with a vast setting. When Dev and Prateek Chakravorty asked me ‘What’s next?’ at the producers’ preview of Binodiini Ekti Natir Upakhyan, I told them about my dream venture. I explained how I wanted to make the film from Draupadi’s point of view and that got them hooked. Draupadi has always intrigued me and I have always wondered how it would be like to explore her personality as a daughter, a wife and a mother. Let’s hope I can do justice to it.
Your mentor — actress and parliamentarian Hema Malini — is lauded for her performance as Draupadi in a dance ballet helmed by her. Was she an inspiration?
Ram Kamal Mukherjee: Hemaji, in fact, has always inspired me to make a film on Durga. But now that you remind me, I guess it was there in my subconscious. I’d love to go back and revisit Hemaji’s Draupadi.
Is the character based on Pratibha Ray’s historical novel Yajnaseni: The Story of Draupadi?
Ram Kamal Mukherjee: I had read the book a few years ago and the way Pratibhaji has dealt with Draupadi’s character appealed to me. It actually got etched in my mind. Once I got the final nod from Dev and Prateek, I tried to reach out to Pratibhaji. After a long chat when she gave her approval, my happiness knew no bounds. I took permission from the publisher of the book as well. But yes, like every director, I too have certain ideas and we’ll have to take some cinematic liberties.
Today’s generation has not seen BR Chopra’s Mahabharat on TV. Also, there are only a handful of mythological films made in Bengali, like Behula (1966), Sita (1980) and Harishchandra Shaibya (1985). This has been a genre less traversed. My target audience will be the 16-60 age group. Paawaan Aagarwal is writing the screenplay with me and helping me in research, too.
We hear Draupadi is going to be a visual extravaganza. Where will it be shot?
Ram Kamal Mukherjee: We will not be able to create a set like that in Kolkata. The entire set design and shooting will be done in Mumbai, other parts of Maharashtra and Hyderabad.
What made you cast Rukmini as Draupadi?
Ram Kamal Mukherjee: It’s more of a ‘trust zone’ that compelled me to think of Rukmini again for this film. I have seen the effort she put in to get into the character of Binodini. I have seen her dedication.
The buzz is that you’ve requested Dev to play Arjun. Have you decided on the rest of the cast?
Ram Kamal Mukherjee: Dev is a busy actor and has a number of films lined up. Byomkesh O Durgo Rahasya has hit the cinemas and then there is Bagha Jatin, Pradhan and another project with Srijit Mukherji. So, I’ve not requested Dev to be a part of my project — not yet! I haven’t thought about the rest of the cast yet.
Tell us about Dev as a producer.
Ram Kamal Mukherjee: I may sound biased, but Dev is the best producer I’ve worked with so far. He is caring and dedicated, and his best quality as a producer is that he’s absolutely non-interfering. He would sit with us during the screenplay reading session, share his inputs if he had to and then totally leave it to us for execution. Though he’s a busy man, you can approach him anytime in a crisis, but he won’t ask you about updates on a day-to-day basis. On the last day of the shoot, he threw a big surprise party for the cast and crew and though we were exhausted, we partied till the wee hours.
When do you plan to start shooting for Draupadi?
Ram Kamal Mukherjee: Sometime next year, as there’s a lot of post-production work left for Binodiini Ekti Natir Upakhyan. A lot of editing is left and we need to work on VFX as well. Recreating old Kolkata and Star Theatre is no mean feat. We need to be accurate.
What about the music of Draupadi?
Ram Kamal Mukherjee: As of now, the background score has been composed by Sourendro and Soumyojit. They are such passionate musicians. The rest, we will plan as we progress.
When do we expect Binodiini Ekti Natir Upakhyan to release?
Ram Kamal Mukherjee: I am hoping by early next year.
