Director Sujoy Ghosh says Kahaani sequel is a new story, and Vidya Balan is Bidya 2.0
Sujoy Ghosh and Vidya Balan
Sujoy Ghosh and Vidya Balan
After nearly five years, Sujoy Ghosh and Bidya (Vidya Balan) are making a comeback on the big screen. It is customary for Bollywood to adapt Hollywood movies. In a reversal, Kahaani was probably the only Hindi film to find a Hollywood adaptation in Deity. But all of this wasn't without a bunch of hurdles, says the director. "'Kahaani' was my make or break. It earned me insurmountable respect. Now that I am coming back with a sequel, there is pressure, butterflies in my stomach and the hope that I don't let anyone down. I hope to get back a Mount Everest of love all over again from the people."
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The script went through multiple alterations. At one point during the cold war between the actress and Sujoy (they didn't speak to each other for months at stretch when the former walked out of Durga Rani Singh owing to health concerns), there were rumours that Kangana Ranaut was doing 'Durga Rani Singh'. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's name was also floating around till Sujoy bumped into Vidya at a coffee shop in Khar. Before they knew it, she was doing two films with him.
"This isn't Durga Rani Singh. I've retained a few elements of that film in 'Kahaani 2'. I never feel the need to shelve any of my movies. We really wanted to make 'Kahaani 2' and it's destiny that it turned out exactly like it should have." He says he returned to Vidya because the actress gives his films heft. "Of course, 'Kahaani' could've been done with another actress but I can sleep in peace, knowing my story is in safe hands. Vidya reads into the lines and whips up a performance worth remembering. For a writer, being able to trust an actor fully is difficult. Vidya earns that trust," he explains.
Was finding the twist in the tale difficult a second time around? "Oh, that's never easy. Twists are quintessential, but not more important than making a good film. 'Kahaani' worked because you invest in the character, her plight and haplessness.
You gasp when she pulls out her fake stomach because you journey with her. No one would've cared about that twist if it weren't a good film," he says, adding, "'Kahaani 2' has is no spillover from 'Kahaani'. It has a bit of Kolkata and a lot of Kalimpong, and locales you have never seen before. The backdrop becomes a character, adding to the mystery. I have been a believer in sequels that have an identity of their own. We haven't repeated any quirks or characters. How do you know you won't find a character more interesting than Bob Biswas this time?" says Sujoy. Ask him if there's a subtle love story even this time, and he quips, "Nice try, but you will have to wait for the movie."
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