Wife's directorial debut keeps Bejoy Nambiar busy

Mumbai : Filmmaker Bejoy Nambiar says he has been busy just standing by his wife Sheetal Menon's side and watching her work on her debut short film as a writer and director.

Sheetal has featured in Nambiar's films "Shaitan" and "David". She is now putting together her first film as a director and writer.

"'Breathless' is the working title. That has been keeping me busy for the last couple of months. We have just finished shooting it and we are in the process of editing it now," Nambiar told IANS here.

"My contribution was to just stand by her side and watch her do her work. I didn't want to influence her or do anything because it was her vision, her voice and story.

"I just stood by her side and helped with the logistics... 'Did they get food or did the vehicles arrive on time?' That was my only work."

He didn't give her any advice either.

"It was completely her show," said the "Wazir" director, who is also working on his next feature film.

"I am still in the process of putting together my next film," shared Nambiar, who has been tied up with jury duties at the ongoing Jio MAMI 20th Mumbai Film Festival with Star as well.

"Last year, I was working on the sidelines. This year, they have given me an official post. It's a very big honour to be a part of something as progressive as MAMI.

"The kind of films lined up every year... I think it's the envy of every Indian film festival. I consider myself lucky to be a part of that club which gets to be in the forefront of quality cinema."

Earlier this year, his project "Dobaara" released on a digital platform.

"That was something I had done two or three years ago. ZEE5 came into being and they released it. It was a one-hour film on a dysfunctional relationship. I am happy it got released," he said.

He has one more project for the online content consumers.

"I had done something for Eros. Again, it was some two years ago. It might come out next year," he said.

Earlier this month, his last directorial "Solo", an anthology featuring the "Kali" star Dulquer Salmaan, turned one.

It was heavily criticised when it hit the big screens, but later when it got streamed on Netflix, it managed to find a strong fan base.

Are people who consume content on the digital platform more experimental?

"I don't think you can broadly categorise it like that. Earlier it used to be only the so-called 'intelligent audience' watching stuff on digital, but I think that bridge has kind of burned down.

"I think everyone is on digital now. We are watching and consuming content on digital, like almost... The numbers are increasing by every second. So, it's no longer that only the intelligent audience is watching digital.

"I don't think you can categorise it like 'my films work only in digital'. I think a film has to work. The content has to connect with the audience."

He agrees that "Solo" got its share of flak when it released in theatres last year.

"But it also got its set of appreciation, especially the Rudra story. A lot of people connected with it and a lot of people hated it. It's okay.

"I think movies do that. The fact that they engaged with the film and talked about it means that they managed to sample it.

"The only thing that I can take away as a filmmaker is that if it has not worked with the majority of audience, it's something for me to understand and see what better I can do next time."

(The writer's trip to Mumbai is at the invitation of the festival organisers. Natalia Ningthoujam can be contacted at natalia.n@ians.in)