’It’s sad my film is pushed into political space’

Nandita Das says her directorial debut Firaaq will help bring communities closer

'It's sad my film is pushed into political space'

Nandita Das says her directorial debut Firaaq u00a0will help bring communities closer

An emotional journey: A still from Firaaq

The story is set over a 24-hour period, a month after the carnage in Gujarat. It traces the emotional journey of ordinary people some who were victims, some perpetrators and some who chose to watch silently.

Often, films about violence are full of the violence that they set out to critique. But my film is about the fierce and delicate emotions the characters undergo.

It's sad that a film made with the intent to move towards understanding our troubled times and bringing us closer to a collective healing is being pushed into political space.

Cinema, unlike poetry or painting, is not a personal art. You make it to share it with people. I have been waiting for the release that has already been so delayed by factors beyond my control.

So, be it Mr Modi or Mr Gandhi, or the man on the street or the woman in college, or whoever, I want everyone to see it. The film is meant for anybody who cares about the world we live in.

It is a pity that my response that there was no specific screening planned for Mr Modi, just as there was none planned for Mr Gandhi, has been misinterpreted and made into a non-existent controversy.

As I write this, I hear from various media people who have been calling to inform me that the film may be banned in Gujarat. By doing this, both the film and the audiences stand to suffer.

In Firaaq, I made a conscious choice to not get into finger-pointing, but instead held a mirror to our own emotions in times of fear and violence.

I am sure that the audience is mature enough, to decide for themselves and express their appreciation or dislike for how I have chosen to explore the subject.

However, for this to happen, they first need to have the opportunity to watch the film. Let's not take that right away from them.

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