Tagore's story is lying in the middle of my story: Srijon Bardhan on Postmaster

movie_image: 
Srijon Bardhan

Srijon Bardhan’s debut film Postmaster, which was screened at the Delhi International Film Festival, is gearing up for release today. In a tete-a-tete with Tellychakkar.com, the young director talks about his film, problems faced by newcomers and more. Excerpts:

What made you leave your engineering career and become a film director?

I like to tell stories. I did a short film titled ‘Jodi’. People liked it. I thought if I am good at it then why not pursue it.   

Postmaster came to your life 13 years back…   

Yeah, I was in eighth standard back then. During that time we would go to Palashi, Ramnagar Gram and spend our vacations there. We would also carry our books with us. So, when I was in class eight, it was the first time that I read the book Postmaster (by Rabindranath Tagore). I was so touched that I reread it many times and I started placing the whole story there. That is the basic reason why I shot 90 percent of the film there. I shot the film in the same village. It is a complete virgin location. I don’t think another person will be able to shoot here because it is a private location. It is owned by the Khaitans. Since we have a very good relation with the Khaitans, they gave us the land.  

What was the main part of the story that made you think hard and is your story entirely based on Tagore’s?  

I was hit by the end. There is a basic difference between Tagore’s story and mine. After reading Tagore’s Postmaster I thought this cannot end here. So, I started extending it. I have also extended the front. So, Tagore’s story is lying in the middle of my story. I have kept the same flavour. I have also kept the end in such a way that again someone else can extend it. Tagore’s Postmaster was a very platonic love story. By adding some romance, I have modified the story in a classic form so that people of this era can connect with it. I feel platonic love is something with which people of this era won’t connect much.   

You being both the film and music director, how did you manage your time?

This is my film. My baby. How I made time, frankly I can’t answer that. All I knew that I had to. The story of Postmaster was in the process of making for 13 years right from the time of my school. So were some songs. I wrote and composed Kheyar Tori when I was in high school. I devoted a whole year for the music of the film. The music was finally composed, made, orchestrated and designed all through mid 2013 to end of 2014. And the film went to floor in January, 2015. So, you see the physical exertions were all compartmentalized and the creative base was already made years back. I composed Aamay Jodi Mon Debe on the words of Tagore’s unpublished poem when I was in class 11 and that was an unplugged version.

It is said that fresh filmmakers face certain challenges when it comes to financial backing. What’s your take?

It is a fact that business of films is very rugged in this state (West Bengal). Right at this point, the industry needs good newcomers. Frankly speaking, we don’t have money. We have seen the same old thing over and over. There are very good filmmakers but they are portraying different stories in the same perception. After a point, viewers get a viewers’ block and they don’t want to see that kind of film again. So, fresh talents should be encouraged. If you are not backed by a very good house, it is very difficult for a newcomer to make into this industry.

Postmaster was screened at the Delhi International Film Festival along with Rajkahini and Teenkahon. How does it feel to receive such accolades at the starting of career?

Srijit Mukherji's Rajkahini and my film were written next to each other in the catalog. It itself is an achievement for me.

Starring Ishaan Majumdar and Pujarini Ghosh in lead roles, the film is slated to hit the screens today.

Like
0
Love
0
Haha
0
Yay
0
Wow
0
Sad
0
Angry
0

Subscribe Here

Enter your e-mail address below.
TellychakkarTeam's picture

About Author

Submitted by TellychakkarTeam on Fri, 06/24/2016 - 15:02

Comments

Add new comment

Tellychakkar Google News Follow
Top Stories
MUMBAI: Teri Meri Doriyaann is a popular show by Cockrow and Shaika Films on Star Plus, commencing with high...
MUMBAI: Sikandar Kharbanda needs no introduction.He has been in this industry for a decade and has an array for roles...
MUMBAI: Priyanka Chahar Choudhary is one of the frequent actresses who can truly live up to this praise. The industry...
MUMBAI: Priyanka Chahar Choudhary is one of the frequent actresses who can truly live up to this praise. The industry...
MUMBAI: The popular family drama show Pandya Store debuted on Star Plus on January 25, 2021. Disney+ Hotstar offers...
MUMBAI: Movie Patna Shuklla has been grabbing the attention of the audience ever since the trailer was out. The movie...