’My film is what I am’

'My film is what I am'

Actor-producer Deepa Sahi is famous for being quirky and a staunch individualist. Now, she turns director with Tere Mere Phere, co-produced by husband Ketan Mehta, and singer Anup Jalota. She tells Sunday MiD DAY why she made a 'relationship film'

After being an actor (Tamas, Hum, Oh Darling Yeh Hai India, Maya Memsaab) and producer (Mangal Pandey, Rang Rasiya), what motivated you to take up direction?
I have always wanted to be a director. I joined the National School of Drama to become a director, but as they say, God moves in strange ways. The only break I got was as an actress, so I started accepting acting offers. Later, I decided to open an animation studio and I devoted four years of my life to it because I was the CEO of Maya Entertainment. Then one day I said, 'Enough!' and decided to get back to what I wanted to do.

Will you act again?
No. I did about three projects that were fun. But I hated make-up and waiting for hours to give my shot. Not my cup of tea. I am too restless to be an actress.

You have cast an odd couple in Tere Mere Phere -- Vinay Pathak and Riya Sen.
It's about the classic war of the sexes. Anatomically, man originated 2,00,000 years ago in Africa. But men and women have not yet learnt the ways of being with each other. They have been on the moon and managed to produce babies (artificially) but they don't know how to live with each other.
My film is about two couples (Vinay Pathak-Riya Sen and newcomers Jagrat Desai and Sasha Goradia). It's about how men and women go bananas when they are placed in close proximity.

You know enough about relationships to make a film about it?
I have grown up with so many women in my extended family. I find a lot of married couples around me, and a similar absurdity operates in every relationship. When two people get together, they want to change each other. That leads to problems for both. If you love a person, why do you want to change the person? If you can't resist the urge to change the person, don't marry.

When you observe newly-married couples today, do you find them to be different from how you and Ketan were years ago?
Ketan and I were always liberated, so we never approached our relationship like a marriage. Now that women are actually coming into their own and unwilling to be doormats, the situation had grown complex. Earlier, women were asked to just manage household chores and the person, who brought in the money had the last word. Now, with exposure and opportunities, relationships have become interesting.

Does this film draw from your personal experiences?
It is based on more than a 100 marriages I have seen. Luckily, Ketan and I refuse to treat each other as (conventional) husband and wife. I told Ketan, the day I treat you as a husband who can be taken for granted, or take over your life, or the day you treat me like a wife,u00a0 we will go our own ways. Besides, we share a common passion (films). It demands a different DNA. If you share this wiring, it's easier to avoid the pitfalls.

Women directors are perceived to be serious filmmakers tackling sensitive issues. Was it a conscious effort to use humour in your film?
This is not a 'ha-ha' comedy. It's a light-hearted look at the war of the sexes. Although there are certain issues that I take seriously and hold close to my heart, I feel there is a funny side to most issues. And I am not talking about rape and exploitation. To give you an example, sometimes it just needs a dirty towel to start a war in the house. Isn't that absurd?
My motive is not to bring about a social change. I want people to sit back and relate to the film.

Riya Sen is an unusual choice. What made you cast her?
Riya plays a 'pahadi mirch', and in real life too, she is spicy. The character has this innocent side to her. I can't stop looking at her face. When I wrote the role, she instantly came to mind.

You were perceived as a bold actor after the lovemaking scenes in Maya Memsaab. Will you be a bold director?
Boldness is a state of mind. My film is what I am. I have not made an attempt to be bold. It's a film from the heart, and I hope it works.

Bollywood News Service

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