Shonali Bose
The Sky is Pink director Shonali Bose has Priyanka Chopra and Farhan Akhtar in the lead roles in her film but the director believes it is still tough to make small film in a star-dominated industry. The 53-year-old filmmaker said there are better chances of her film drawing the audience's attention with the presence of top actors. "It is unfortunate (that the industry is) driven by star system. I do wish that was not the case. Bollywood is still star driven even for one to get backing on the script. "It is difficult to make smaller films. Like in case of Amu and Margarita, With A Straw you do not get backing by big studios as stars are not playing roles," she said.
Asked if it is essential to be regarded as commercial director, Shonali said numbers matter but she has not let that affect her personally. However, the National Award-winning director said, "I always set out for failure and it doesn't matter if the film doesn't succeed at the box office. I have to be true to my voice and vision. I will not compromise on that. Of course, it is fantastic if you are true to your vision and the film does well. This will help you make the film you want and bring change in the society. Since I want to bring change, my films should be seen by more people and it would be good to have those numbers."
Priyanka Chopra, Zaira Wasim wrap London schedule of The Sky Is Pink. See pictures
She said she chose big names for The Sky is Pink as the script demanded it. "Priyanka was always my first choice. She suits the character really well. The film is based on a true story. The script was first picked by producer Siddharth Roy Kapur and he was on the same page as me as far the casting went," Shonali said.
As per reports, the film is based on the life of motivational speaker Aisha Chaudhary, who was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. The director clarifies the film is a love story of Aisha's parents and is not based on her."Pulmonary fibrosis is a part of the film. It is a true story and it is the journey of how you deal with it," she added.
Unlike her previous films Amu and Margarita... the film is not written by Shonali. This time October writer Juhi Chaturvedi has penned the story. The film is set to release in February next year.
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"Amu and Margarita... were very difficult to get made. But this film has fallen into my hands easy and the script was loved immediately by the team. It was a cakewalk. The first film dealt with genocide, the second was about the gay and disabled and in this one, there is death but it is more mainstream in its story. That's why I feel it is easy," she added.
Shonali said Hindi cinema has become more receptive towards stories with female protagonists. Citing the example Stree, the director said she was surprised how beautifully the message of feminism was woven in the film. "It is not that the film was trying to pick up or talk about an issue. But it was fantastically feminist because it clearly said if the ghost is Stree, she takes permission and it is fantastic. It made a point of 'no means no' in a very subtle way. I was delighted to see this," she said.
After her directorial debut in 2005, Shonali co-wrote and co-produced 2012's Chittagong, a film by her former husband Bedabrata Pain. Her next directorial release was the 2015 critically-acclaimed Margarita With A Straw about a young Indian woman with cerebral palsy who falls in love with a blind girl.
Talking about the long gaps between her films, Shonali said she usually takes three-odd years to write, direct and produce. "Maybe now I will not take that much time as I might not produce my films. My next The Sky Is Pink is going at rapid speed, Priyanka said 'yes' to it in January and we are finishing it now.
(With IANS inputs)
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