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Golden Age Creative Adda | Golden Age Diary | Astrophysicist

November 25, 2009 | 05:27 AM

A film of less doubt and more courage : Bandit Queen

From Deepak :"You know Shekhar, today I watched Bandit Queen. I was in early school when it was released and it was out of bounds then. I can't understand how something made so way back seems to grab me NOW from the first moment. You know this is your most honest attempt. You - simply are not there in the movie, neither is there technique. Nothing..nothing at all sat between me and the murk and dust of chambal. This movie ironically is more 'masoom' than any of your other movies including 'masoom' itself. Phew..a blast from the past..still so raw and tough and so bloody gritty..
where is that rawness and fearlessness these days(this is not directed so much at you..but at all filmmakers today)..does the passing of time,weathering at the hands of emotions and knowledge cripple the ability of an artist to express instinctively ?"

Thank you Deepak. I always say Bandit Queen is my most honest film in that I just did not allow anything to come between the 'moment' and the film. It took courage and sheer obstinacy too. For holding on to my instinct for dear life and shooting so fast that no one had time for doubt. Not even myself. Often thinking too much will cause more doubt and less courage. Partly it was the actors complete faith in what I asked them to do and also in their ability to invent their roles in their own identity. The ravines of Chambal spoke to me constantly and being and living in the harsh environment itself forced an act of adventure that became both challenging and exciting. It was guerrilla film making at it's most adventurous.

And last not least - this as an ode to the greatest and the most underestimated Director of Photography I know - Ashok Mehta, who's courage and energy was boundless and from whom I learned much of my visual instincts from. The very same visual style that I adapted for the Elizabeth films

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June 01, 2008 | 08:53 AM

Is Bandit Queen my best film ?

Certainly more people have seen the two Elizabeth's, Massom and Mr India. However the following were the director's notes attached to the DVD that were written in a tearing hurry. The Independent newspaper, in the UK, however, decided to publish my notes as a full page review of the film ! And so I read my notes again. Sometimes when you write under pressure, as I did this piece - your own words surprise you with their honesty. I am sharing the notes with you :

"When a Directors reflects on his body of work there is always a film that stands out as his personal favourite. Often that impression is coloured by the experience during the filming. But when the 'on set' experience is astounding and results in a film that survives years that have passed. When the film has been etched in the political consciousness of the people that watched it. When a film has caused a social re-evaluation. When a film has been at the centre of a political storm and caused an uproar in India's parliament. What can a Director say, but that this was my most defining film - one that I would find very very difficult to surpass.....

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March 29, 2008 | 09:48 PM

Bandit Queen - director's commentary

As they are re releasing the DVD of Bandit Queen in the UK. I decided to do an extensive director's commentary on it. And I sat there and cried as I watched the film after almost 10 years. What happened to the director Shekhar Kapur ? Where did he get lost ? Bandit Queen has such subtext, such detail, such an emotional and innovative way of telling a strong story. Without having to resort to great directorial flourishes. The actors were great, probably the best I ever had. Ashok Mehta, the DP was great, and I rue the fact that he and I never worked together again. The editing was so acute and incisive, and unfortunately Renu Saluja died far too young. In fact wherever she and I disagreed, she was right, as I can see in the film now. The Music by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was so evocative and emotional withput being intrusive. Almost spiritual. And he died too young.

Why ? Because I worked completely in synch with the writing. with the music, with filming, wit the actors. We were all one team tethered to each other. Because there were no creative pressures from above. Because this was my most instinctual film. Because i did not try and prove anything to anyone. Just shot the film from the heart . And the film was made in utmost humility. Why ? Because all of us worked in trust, in faith and towards a common vision Will I be able to bring that humility back to PAANI ? God, I hope so. If I am half the director that I was in Bandit Queen, PAANI should be a wonderful film. Please try and hear the director's commentary on Bandit Queen. I promise you, it will be worth it.

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August 01, 2006 | 04:58 AM

The Gang Rape Scene in Bandit Queen

Udayan asked : When I watched Bandit queen and perticularly the scene where She was being gang raped. I almost throwed up during that scene and took me about a week to get over it. How did you managed to film that scene? I mean the intensity that you put into that scene simply can't be just direction!

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May 14, 2006 | 05:48 PM

The Editor of Bandit Queen

Renu Saluja, who edited Bandit Queen died a few years after, still very young. She was one of the best editors in India. The Film and Television Institute of India is paying a tribute to her. Here is mine ...

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