A landmark Supreme Court judgment that freed same-sex bonding from being a criminal act is at the root of national award-winning director Kaushik Ganguly's latest film Nagarkirtan. In a freewheeling chat with Millennium Post's Nandini Guha, he talks about the love story of two ordinary homosexuals, Madhu and Puti, who come up against the wall of social acceptance in a society that finds it hard to break traditional mores. Excerpts:
What is the subject of the film?
In a homophobic society, it is tough to accept the love story of two young boys (one transgender)and that is what the film is about. When I made a film on dwarfs the subject was equally taboo. Today the dwarfs have won recognition as "handicapped" and that will fetch them a lot of benefits. Similarly, it was important to make a film on this subject in Kolkata since I feel that the sun rises from the east.
How does the plot evolve?
Born as a boy in rural Bengal, Parimal or Puti soon realised that even though he had the physical attributes of a man, from within he was a woman. But making the world believe in this was not going to be easy. At least not his part of the world maybe. Yet, this journey to becoming a woman in every sense had to be embarked upon. He decided to run away far from his existing surrounding, only to find himself a world that seemed more accepting to his internal truth. The woman that he really was deep within. He sought refuge at a transgender shelter in the city of Kolkata and turned into Puti. It was here that the beautiful Puti met the love of her life, Madhu, an amateur flute player. Love bloomed between them as would between the celebrated Radha and Krishna, through melodies of flute and their yearning to be united again and again.
Where is the film shot?
It is shot mostly in Kolkata and in Taki. The famous Kirtan singer Dr Santa Das also takes part in the film. Kirtan is a ballad and in the film, the love of Madhu and Puti plays out like a city ballad, hence the name of the film, Nagarkirtan.
Is there a message in this film also like most of your films?
Ordinary life inspires me. Unlike R Ekti Premer Golpo, I'm more inspired in this film by two ordinary people may be trying to cross the road at the traffic lights. That's why I keep talking to rickshaw-pullers and shopkeepers.
This film has picked up a lot of awards already?
Yes, it has picked up four national awards. It was screened at Cannes and also at Goa. We will be sending it to a lot of festivals soon.