An interview with Dr Jahanara Begum, who played the lead role in the film ‘Anur’. ‘Anur’ is a beautiful film depicting the realities of life, longing, love and loneliness. A medical doctor by profession, she is currently the Deputy Superintendent, Tezpur Medical College and Hospital
1. Tell us about the genesis of ‘Anur’?
I read a collection of short stories by Sahitya Akademi Award winning author, Anuradha Sarma Pujaree. I liked one of the stories and shared it with the director, Manjul Baruah. He too liked it. We approached Pujaree. She agreed and told us how she wrote the story. She allowed us to adapt it in a film form. We worked on the script for almost a year and made over 12 drafts. When we started shooting in 2021 we completed within a month. We had emailed the translated script to Rajat Kapur. He liked it and agreed to do the film. He came for 10 days and also worked as a script supervisor for our film. Boloram Das, who works in Bollywood joined our crew. The other actors auditioned and joined us.
2. How did you prepare yourself for the character?
I used the covid period to mentally cast myself as the character. I gave shape to my character. Lockdown due to covid started by then. I stopped colouring my hair. My hair turned white and I used to wear the surgical cap while at work. It was covid time and I wore it even to the market. I have to keep myself busy at work, and my home. I took earned leave. I stopped taking care of my skin and my fingers etc. I wanted to look real without any make-up. I had some hair in my chin. I let it grow white and be part of my character. I also tried to put on a little weight. It was difficult as it's easy to put on weight but very difficult to lose weight. Till the shooting and editing was complete, I remained that way. I started liking my new look. My family insisted that I dye my hair. My son was getting married and he asked me to change my look. I bought a few patches and covered my hair and nobody could make out. I prepared myself both physically and mentally. We did not show any traces of covid as we kept away people wearing masks. I did not show anything that showed people wearing masks.
3. The film is quite long. Do you think that the audience would have patience to watch such a long film?
Ans. The film is 2 hours 40 minute long. A French filmmaker came to see the film and was surprised that it was so long. But after watching the film, he said that for this film, this duration is pertinent. We were inspired. We were worried that it was long and people might not like it. We are not a big budget film. I am happy that people liked the content of the film made without any frills. It is a film that stays with you for a long time.
4. What do you think about the Assamese film industry’s collaborative venture with people working in Bollywood these days?
Ans. Many Assamese are working in Bollywood in various roles. Earlier, we did not think of such collaborative ventures. I am glad that we are thinking on these lines. The presence of Rajat Kapur adds a star appeal.
5. How do you think we can revive Assamese cinema?
Ans. There are many good Assamese cinemas these days, though it is on a small budget. Many young people are working and doing a good job. In order to survive, we need the help of the government. The cinema halls do not want to screen Assamese films as there are fewer audiences. Assam’s Film policy states that at least one show should be allowed. Government should also fund the renovation of cinema halls. The film policy should be used for the development of Assamese cinema. We do not get slots even in the television channels. But social media is helping us in promotion. The people are spreading the message by word of mouth. We travelled all over upper Assam. But the halls in lower Assam refused to screen our film. Promoting films was not done aggressively. We go to schools and colleges and inspire the young generation to watch Assamese films.
6. Has the film travelled to various film festivals?
Ans. We have travelled to Kerala International Film Festival, Dhaka International Film Festival, Indo-Bangla Film Festival and Meghalaya International Film Festival. We plan to put our film on an OTT platform.
7. Please tell us about yourself
My parents are from Sivasagar. My father liked films and wrote several plays. Once, as a child, I saw a film and started enacting the whole film at home, playing all the different roles. My father said that this was mono-acting, though I had never heard of the term. He started writing mono-act plays for me. I kept on enacting them as he gave me tips on acting. He urged me to keep my eyes open and observe people around me. At a time when very few girls came out, I started doing plays in school, clubs, college and even radio and my life on stage evolved. It was also the time when people were going for unconventional courses and NSD was very popular. I wanted to try too. But my father cautioned me. He told me that if you study medicine, you can also be an actor. If you go to NSD, you cannot become a doctor. I got married at the age of 19 as I had an inter-religious marriage. In 2009, I started JB Productions and have been regularly doing plays that have been staged all over India. I have written and translated several plays. After my husband’s retirement, he wanted to invest his retirement benefits in producing films and ‘Anur’ is one of them.