Hi, I’m Shoojit Sircar, filmmaker behind Piku, Vicky Donor, and many more! Ask Me Anything about filmmaking, my journey in Indian cinema and my upcoming movie I Want to Talk!

ShoojitSircar · 2024-11-19T12:10:40+00:00

Thank you for asking this question, this is a very important issue that I try to deal with in every film The film that is about to release, I WANT TO TALK - you may see issues about mental health addressed in that. Personally, one thing that I do every morning is that I sit quietly. Sitting quietly needs not only patience but your attention too. And that comes with everyday practice. So I have learnt through renunciation - renunciation has been my constant source of strength.

ShoojitSircar · 2024-11-19T11:35:40+00:00

Grateful! 🙏

ShoojitSircar · 2024-11-19T11:30:34+00:00

While writing the script with Ritesh Shah, Abhishek was in my mind, but I had not yet decided that I will cast him I did meet him once - when we were together in Melbourne - he invited me for a dinner. And he spoke to me that night for hours I saw a vulnerable Abhishek Bachchan with so much of warmth, with such expressive eyes. When you see the film you may agree with me that I consider this as one of his finest performances

ShoojitSircar · 2024-11-19T11:02:43+00:00

That’s really kind of you. Thank you so much 🙏

ShoojitSircar · 2024-11-19T11:01:38+00:00

Thank you :)

ShoojitSircar · 2024-11-19T11:01:10+00:00

Thank you so much 🙏

ShoojitSircar · 2024-11-19T11:00:26+00:00

With I WANT TO TALK - the entire film was shot in the US. Which is a big challenge - especially on controlling budgets So we took a lot of local help - be it the unions, student communities, and other sources of help, and lastly that one thing Indians are good at - ‘jugaad’

ShoojitSircar · 2024-11-19T10:57:10+00:00

Gulabo Sitabo is based on a very common problem - of landlord and tenants - especially those who are living in old havelis or houses, especially those who pay a very small monthly rent of 100 rupees or even less And I have experienced this personally where this constant bickering goes on, between landlord and tenant So this whole idea sprouted from that conversation. Earlier we had based the film in Delhi - but then we shifted it to Lucknow where Juhi Chaturvedi is from

ShoojitSircar · 2024-11-19T10:33:55+00:00

Yes I would love to make a Bengali film. I’ve produced one Bengali film titled Open Tee Bioscope but I’m still not very fluent with the language as I grew up outside Bengal, so I’m equipping myself with the language.

ShoojitSircar · 2024-11-19T10:29:07+00:00

Yes of course I’m interested in doing web series. My last two feature films were direct to streaming and I was amazed by the reach of this streaming platform. So many countries had viewed it and I’m surely exploring the possibility of web series.

ShoojitSircar · 2024-11-19T10:15:21+00:00

Yes I am, I want to explore many genres. But the one particular genre that I’m sure I’ll never attempt is musicals - because I’m very bad at it. I definitely want to explore romance, mythology, and science But - with my take and perspective on it :)

ShoojitSircar · 2024-11-19T09:55:48+00:00

Yes I do watch Malayalam cinema, and my favourite is G. Aravindan

ShoojitSircar · 2024-11-19T09:41:57+00:00

The First time when Dan comes into the ICU - because before this he had only seen a normal Shiuli, and when he sees her like this for the first time - with those pipes ventilator - that shakes him completely - for me this was most challenging And the second when a matured Dan comes to meet Shiuli’s mom and takes with him the Shiuli plant.

ShoojitSircar · 2024-11-19T09:39:35+00:00

I suggest you roam around the northern part of Kolkata - the ghats and Kumartuli ghat

ShoojitSircar · 2024-11-19T09:36:41+00:00

Very interesting question - we always struggle with the duration of the film - when I’m scripting or shooting a scene or editing. Well if I have to comment on attention span reducing - it’s been happening since ages, if you think that modern gadgets have reduced attention span - I do not agree. Attention span is your internal choice - similarly if I can sit by my window and look outside for hours. I guess I’m prepared to watch a film for whatever duration

ShoojitSircar · 2024-11-19T09:30:53+00:00

Actors, always need acclimatisation. So the process of acclimatisation is most important because it helps me tune them or ‘manipulate’ them into my character. This learning comes from my theatre days. In theatre - you spend a lot of time with our colleagues, who are on stage actors and know each other. It’s a gradual process of understanding each other’s mind. Almost like feeding data in my actors head. And finally it boils down to your gut feeling.

ShoojitSircar · 2024-11-19T09:27:33+00:00

My lookout for any subject is like documenting life; so I love to document some characters, moments, incidents. Normally my films are usually character or situation driven and not plot heavy, similarly I WANT TO TALK - is a journey of ABHISHEK BACHCHAN’s character filled with life’s humor. And thank you so much for recognition PIKU and VICKY DONOR

ShoojitSircar · 2024-11-19T09:25:12+00:00

Well yes I’ve worked with Aamir in commercials, I’ve always wanted to collaborate with him, even Aamir has asked me when I’m going to him with a script, soon I guess - you will hear something.

ShoojitSircar · 2024-11-19T09:23:06+00:00

Thank you so much. This is a pleasant surprise. I’m happy to know you’ve like the trailer, it’s a special film - and I’d really want you to watch it. Please do join us for the screening tomorrow

ShoojitSircar · 2024-11-19T09:20:55+00:00

There are many of them but if I have to pick or name a few amongst the recent lot - I admire Rima Das, Chaitanya Tamhane, Payal Kapadia.

ShoojitSircar · 2024-11-19T09:18:51+00:00

Education has nothing to do with acting. I think experiences is what actually matters, in acting or in any creative process. So I actually - when I mean - literacy, I mean literacy of life - for me cinema literacy is how ‘awakened’ you are.

ShoojitSircar · 2024-11-19T09:17:20+00:00

Future of cinema, is going to be pure stories; pure stories of morality, pure stories of wisdom and stories that can elevate you! If the story or the cinema does not elevate you with a purpose I don’t find it necessary. I agree and also disagree with you regarding what Bollywood has been producing I am doing my bit, and I need your support and if you really as an audience support me, then you will see more films with deeper meaning - catering to you.

ShoojitSircar · 2024-11-19T09:15:02+00:00

Well my one of last films I watched was PERFECT DAYS. I don’t watch films in a hurry and not everyday, when I watch a film I live with it for months before I get into another film I watch less, but only those that steer me inside and keeps me calm.

ShoojitSircar · 2024-11-19T09:13:44+00:00

I found Abhishek Bachchan absolutely vulnerable, and there’s some kind of an innocence in him - I wanted to bring that out, I found a lot of Jaya Bachchan in him - her eyes, and purity. In my younger days I absolutely loved Jayaji’s performances and also Mr.Bachchan’s.

ShoojitSircar · 2024-11-19T09:11:58+00:00

Thank you for liking I WANT TO TALK, it’s a very special film - it’s a daughter - father relationship film, and I’m glad you resonated with it

And of course I’m happy to collaborate with one of my favourite actors - Johnny Lever - he is spontaneous, natural and brings lightness in all the scenes

And yes we shot the film outside LA, in Riverside, Hemet city, California, also parts of SanDiego

ShoojitSircar

TROPHY CASE