In an EXCLUSIVE interview with Firstpost’s Lachmi Deb Roy, Boong co-producers talk about filming in Manipur, working with Lakshmipriya Devi, the BAFTA win, and more.
In conversation with Firstpost, Shujaat Saudagar and Vikesh Bhutani talk about the making of Boong and stories on human interest, especially from places with such unrest.
Edited excerpts from the interview:
What was the thought that went behind the making of Boong?
Shujat: The thought, of course, came from the creator, Lakshmi Priyadevi, which was absolutely stunning. And when she came to us with the script and narrated it to us, the first feeling of it was, this story needs to be told, more importantly than anything else. It was extremely emotional, it was fun, it was quirky, it was embedded in a deep-rooted message and told all from the point of view of the innocence of a little boy and his journey.
That is where I think the genesis of it happened for us. And the story that she came up with was just heartfelt because it was coming from a place where she belonged and the nuances and the societal and the environmental depiction that she had grown up with. And I think that is what really resonated with Vikesh and me. And that is where we decided that no matter what, the story has to be told.
On the idea of Manipuri film Boong by Lakshmipriya Devi…
Vikesh: It was Lakshmi’s idea. It was her script. It was her story. And she came to us to work with her, collaborate with her on producing this film and to make it happen in terms of the executional process of it. And that is where we got on board. Of course, we had sessions and we had feedbacks and we had the finer points and the nuances of all of it. But it was all her gig.
I mean, this entire film is all Lakshmi. And we were just happy to be a part of this journey and go along with her, discover many things for our own selves, for our own growth. And I think that is what happened even with the entire crew.
Everyone came on board primarily on the merit of the story and of the script, which she had so beautifully written. And everyone wanted to be a part of it, no matter what, because it just felt that it was an important story to be told and an extremely brilliant and emotional one as well.
The script, the screenplay. We were bowled over and we just wanted to be a part. And that’s how it began. And then obviously, we kept on working towards how to make it, how to get the right team. But the moment we read, that was the beginning of the relationship. Also, we’ve known Lakshmi for almost two decades. She’s been a friend and she’s been a collaborator for the longest time. And, you know, we always knew that there’s a filmmaker in her. And when she came with this story, I think it was really important that we all came together to help her and to compliment her in telling the story.
How does it feel after winning BAFTA?
Vikesh: We were overwhelmed. And then we saw the entire film festival circuit that the film did. And it garnered so much of love and so many accolades all across the globe. And when the BAFTA nomination happened and it was when it reached the shortlist is when the hope started kind of rising. It was really overwhelming and it was absolutely heart-warming to see Lakshmi on that stage, listening to her, what she said about the film. As I said, at least we personally were, hoping against hope, not wanting to jinx it that we will win, but somewhere we were prepared that, okay, if we don’t, because if you go to see the line-up as well, we were pitted against big studio films in the category. And I think it is again, the way she has told the story, the story in itself is what resonated with the jury. And that is something that we have been experiencing throughout this film festival circuit that the film has done.
When is it releasing it in India?
Vikesh: The release date, I mean, we had already done one release, limited release, but we have not yet decided when to, if we re-release or we take it straight to the platform now. But in the coming week, when we meet all the, all the associated partners and stakeholders need. We’ll figure the journey from here on. We are very keen to re-release, but again, it’s a collective decision. So, we’ll decide in the coming few days.
How does it feel to see Manipur in news for some brilliant and happy thing?
Shujat: It feels really great to tell you very, very honestly, because the place has been marred now for quite a few years with the unrest and the violence that has been growing and it has been concerning for the entire country.
The focus is that there are so many great human stories to tell even from places with such unrest. I think this is a stepping stone for all of us. It feels really encouraging in that sense and emotional as well with the kind of devastation that has been happening over the last so many years.
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