New Delhi, March 17 Actor-director Saurabh Shukla says intimate stories, rooted in emotions, like his latest "Jab Khuli Kitaab," will always have an audience because viewers respond to good content regardless of prevailing trends.
When asked if the space for such stories in theaters is threatened by larger-than-life cinema, Shukla said life cannot be defined by just one thing.
"I believe that intimate stories, which are rooted in people and basic human emotions, are equally important. And I have a very strong belief that as long as human existence is there, as long as human beings exist, their basic qualities will not change," Shukla, known for his performances in films like "Satya," "Nayak," "Barfi" and "PK," as well as "Jolly LLB" and "Raid," told
"See, we can be driven by anger, we can be driven by many things, violence is also a reality, but life cannot be defined by just one thing. That's something we can't forget. So I think this will never happen," he added.
He cited the example of Ayushmann Khurrana's critically acclaimed film "Badhaai Ho," which was a surprise box office success in 2018.
"At that time, the trend was largely about big, spectacle-driven, action-packed films. Yet, this small, simple film was a huge success at the box office. We often think about trends, but let me tell you the truth, humans are such intelligent creatures whose commitment is never just towards a trend."
He believes filmmakers should not be swayed by industry trends and must trust their instincts.
"If you give them something that is good, and they like it, they will make it a success. So those who are making intimate films, they should believe in it and make it," Shukla added.
"Jab Khuli Kitaab," a tender portrayal of an elderly couple navigating marital difficulties, is the cinematic adaptation of Shukla's stage play of the same name.
The film, which recently premiered on ZEE5, stars Pankaj Kapur and Dimple Kapadia as a couple who decide to seek a divorce after 50 years of marriage.
The idea for the story came from Sunil Balwal, Shukla's former student from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). Balwal is also part of the cast.
"Actors have a habit of telling stories. So one day he started telling me a story. I didn't understand the story, but I got these two characters – Dadaji and Dadiji. I then started thinking about it, and I really liked the idea. When I began writing, I was deeply inspired by a line by Rumi: 'Light always enters through the crack'."
"If a wall is completely strong and unbroken, light can never pass through it. It's only when the wall develops a crack that the light finds its way in. That thought became the central premise of the film. When the naked truth confronts you, your entire world can shatter. Everything cracks. But the light that enters through that crack – the light of truth – can illuminate your whole life. That idea really stayed with me," he said.
When he started writing the project, Shukla said the organizers of Aadyam, the theatre initiative by the Aditya Birla Group, approached him and asked him to stage a play for them.
"I had this story with me, it's a story about relationships and characters. So it was a great opportunity for me to explore the story first. Film is a visual medium, and in theatre, you rely a lot on the idea and concept. I wrote it as a play at that time, but it was always a film in my mind."
Years later, Applause Entertainment, the film production arm of Aditya Birla group, asked him to make a movie out of his play.
"Sameer Nair met me and said he loved the idea and suggested that it be developed into a film. So I was overjoyed. Then I wrote it as a film. And my luck continued as I got Pankaj Kapur and Dimple Kapadia. Then I got Aparshakti (Khurana), Sunil Balwal, Samir Soni, Mansi Parekh. Everyone read the script and gave all their love. And the film is about love. I think I have been blessed with love," Shukla said.
As an artiste, Shukla said he enjoys juggling multiple roles – that of an actor, filmmaker, writer, and theatre practitioner.
"It's a pure joy. I believe that life is one. I can't think that I will act now and I will make a film in my next life. I will do everything now. As long as there is life, I will do everything... It's not that you decide. It's a calling, and you get that feeling."
"With filmmaking, you think of many stories. And then there is a story that compels you first, and then you meet people. I was very lucky that I met people who also felt compelled to be a part of this," he added.
"Jab Khuli Kitaab" is presented by Applause Entertainment and produced under the Shoestrap Films banner.