After directing the super successful The Kerala Story, it came as a surprise for many to not see Sudipto Sen associated with the film’s sequel The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond. Recently, the franchise’s producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah said that the reason for this was that Sen’s script for the sequel was substandard. Sen got talking about this and his latest production Charak in an interview with us.
Vipul Shah, your The Kerala Story producer, claims you didn’t direct the sequel as your script was ‘crap’. Your response?
Vipul ji should not have said all this because he knows the truth. I respect him immensely. I learnt a lot from him. The important things is no one can wipe-off our glorious collaboration in The Kerala Story and Bastar from Indian cinema. When we create history and are scrutinized in public, we must be extremely responsible in our behavior and conduct.
So, after two collaborations, why is he suddenly denigrating your aptitude?
The worst thing about a lie is that it doesn’t sustain; soon, the truth takes over. Vipul ji is my senior and I respect him. So, I won’t say much. But reality is completely opposite. If required, I shall share our mail exchange, which is completely against his claim. But I don’t want to create any controversy out of it… no matter what others do.
What was your impetus for making Charak?
Since my childhood, like any other child from rural Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Assam… I was also utmost fascinated with Charak. Charak Mela, as it is popularly known, happens in Chaitra month—when school and college exams are over and most major agricultural produce has yielded. I mean, it is happier part of the year for us, just before harsh summer. After Durga Puja, Charak is our most popular festival. Besides the vibrant color and melodious folk songs and dance, the darker side of the Charak festival involves Tantrik and Aghori practices, which include cannibalism and human sacrifices.
Although Aghori practices are officially banned in most places, these dark practices still happen around us. In 2024, a nine-year-old schoolboy was sacrificed by a school management as they decided and it was because, since last few years the school was bringing bad board results. Science and technological thrive on one side and superstition, anti-science, and obscurantism on the other. A society can never flourish with this dichotomy. And hence my film Charak.
The shooting was extremely productive and hassle-free. Villagers were supportive and highly aware of the generation. They unanimously believed our film would open the eyes of the common people. Exploiting poor and backward people in the name of religion and religious practices must stop – this is no longer an elite conversation.
Why didn’t you direct Charak yourself?
After working non-stop for four years on The Kerala Story and Bastar, I was extremely tired. Injured both my legs. I needed a break. But a filmmaker can’t be seated ideally. I read Sanjay Haldar’s short story a few years back toying with the idea of making that into a film. Got some money from The Kerala Story. So, I discussed it with Shiladitya (Moulik) and started the film. I did not go to the location during the first half of the schedule. In the second half of the shoot, I was there but stayed backstage. Once the film was over, Shiladitya did the rough cut, and then I took over responsibility for post-production until the end. Shiladitya and I complemented each other in this collaborative effort.
Tell me about the cast. Where did you find these talented underexposed actors?
The selection process was simple because most of the actors of Charak are from NSD (National School of Drama). Anjali Patil previously worked with the director Shieladitya Moulik. Subrat Dutt worked with me in many of my past films. Sashi Bhushan ji and Sahidur Rahaman are seasoned actors and my favourites. It was quite a simple process to get them. Shiladitya selected the remaining actors from Kolkata because he has worked there for many years. And it was our decision to pick Bengali actors because their dialect was perfect for our narrative.
The post Sudipto Sen on Vipul Shah’s criticism to his script of The Kerala Story 2, “Vipul ji should not have said all this because…” appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.
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