Stunning frames, power-packed acting and a director hungry to create a spontaneous, realistic Bengali film marked the essence of the shoot of Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury's Bunohaans. The film was released in 2014 to critical acclaim. Roy Chowdhury (Tony) moved on and entered the world of Hindi cinema with a bang, striking critical and box-office gold with Pink. He went on to successfully direct more Hindi films and shows but, a question lingered in the minds of his audience in Calcutta, who had found joy in films like Anuranan and Antaheen: when will Tony return to Calcutta with a Bengali film? Well, there is some good news. Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury is all set to start the shoot of a new Bengali film, from May 22, in Calcutta. The film, titled Dear Ma, stars Jaya Ahsan, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Padmapriya, Saswata Chatterjee, Dhritiman Chaterji, Anubha Fatehpuria, Shayan Munshi, Sonali Basu and Biswajit Chakraborty. A t2 chat with Tonyda...

How does it feel to be directing a Bengali film after 10 years?

I was waiting for a Bengali film to happen. Sakyajit Bhattacharya and I wrote the story and screenplay last year, and once it was ready, I decided to direct it. I'm really excited. We have a lovely cast and they are having an amazing time at the workshops. Before you marry someone, you go through the process of courtship. Workshops are like that for our team before we start the shoot. More than the destination, the journey is important. This attracts me. Jaya Ahsan has become a family friend.

Why did you take a sabbatical from Bengali cinema for 10 years?

I don't have a compulsion to make films constantly. I would not like to wrap up a shoot in 12 days. I want to take my time and shoot a film. I don't want to rush it. I love to wait. Waiting is a very important part of my journey. Earlier, I was busy with my Hindi films... I wanted to reach out to more people... and then, it took a lot of time to write the scripts. It takes time to conceive a film, think about it and then nurture it. I enjoy this process. To me, filmmaking represents my own journey and my happiness.

What was the genesis of Dear Ma?

A friend of mine told me a one-liner... that something had happened between a woman and her daughter. For me, my stories come from life. The film tells the story of a mother and her daughter... it is an intense family film with elements of a thriller too... it is a story of love, realisation, and change... as we go through life, we become wiser.

You mentioned that there are elements of a thriller in the film. Does it come organically or did you keep it because thrillers are doing well on OTT and at the box office?

Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury

It comes organically... there is an element of a quest, which is there on a narrative level and metaphorically.

The theme of a quest dominates all your films...

Yes... unless a story resonates with me, I cannot make a film. I'm not a person who gets satisfied very easily, so I'm also on a quest.

For what?

To find myself. That's there in all my films. Filmmaking is a collaborative art form. As artistes, we work with a sense of purpose. The clarity of thoughts helps us gain insight into our passions. We can then align our thoughts and decisions. We share a great comfort level.

Tell us more about the mother in the film...

She is a corporate woman who is busy with herself. She might come across as self-centred but the film goes on to explore that angle and raises a few questions. Is she really like that? That's the search of the film. The film revolves around many relationships, from the mother-daughter and husband-wife to teacher and student. Meanwhile, the daughter is wistful... she is an introvert.

Why did you cast Jaya?

She had a small role in Kadak Singh and was great in it. Jaya is intelligent, she has a calmness... and there is a sense of depth. She can convey a lot without actually saying anything. She can express herself with her silence. She lets her eyes speak. She owns the film. I am lucky with all my actors.

How do you feel on the first day of the shoot of a film?

I feel like I am making my first film once again. I am excited, nervous, happy and anxious.

You have completed 18 years in cinema. How do you look back on the journey?

Even as I get ready to direct my new film, I have many questions... and there is this sense of excitement and ambiguity. A film happens... you cannot make a film. It's a call... and I have been answering this call for two decades. This feeling of a new beginning provides a sense of excitement.

Why did you choose cinema as your medium of expression?

Because it has everything in it. As a medium, cinema draws from painting, literature, photography, music and dance. Everything is variable, nothing is in your control. The filmmaking process is like a flight taking off from the runway. One might experience a sudden jolt during a flight. Even when the weather conditions appear calm, the plane may get shaken around. One might lose altitude before normal service is resumed. It is an evolution. Filmmaking is like that. There is a connection between the body, mind and soul.