By Subhash K. Jha
Mumbai, Aug 9 (IANS): Reacting to reports that she has restricted the makers of her long-pending release "Rang Rasiya" from using without her consent new film stills featuring her, Nandana Sen says it's untrue and that she has never blocked anyone's creative freedom.
In an interview, the actress, daughter of Nobel laureate Amarta Sen, has clarified about the rumours surrounding her, about life after marriage and the kind of films she's looking forward to.
Excerpts:
Q. One of your favourite projects "Rang Rasiya" is finally releasing. How does it feel to have it out after so many years?
A. Like springtime after a long, frozen winter.
Q. Is it true that Ketan Mehta would have to get an NOC (no objection certificate) from you before releasing the erotic content of the film? What would this mean for the film's creative freedom versus your right to privacy?
A. Not true at all. Ketan and I were both bewildered to read about this fictitious NOC! From the start of our talks, it was as much Ketan's choice as mine that I should be comfortable with the content of the sensitive scenes, and I took time to think it over and discuss it with my extremely supportive family, before making a decision.
Incidentally, no one from the producers, directors, or distributors side has ever been in touch with me about any publicity materials, let alone an NOC. So there was never a question of my blocking the film's creative freedom.
Q. Has your attitude changed and is there any self-imposed censorship after marriage?
A. I'm very passionate about my work. My attitude as an artist remains exactly what it was when I accepted the role, which was not an easy decision. The moment for examining my feelings and fears came before I said yes, not after. "Rang Rasiya" is an important and exceptional film, and I am as committed to it and every scene in it now as I was then.
Q. "Rang Rasiya" is also about censorship?
A. Yes, it would be deeply ironic to censor myself in a film that criticizes censorship, wouldn't it?
Q. You've been married for a year. What has it been like? Do you enjoy the boundaries that marriage places on your freedom?
A. I absolutely love being married, but the boundaries in my life have always been imposed by myself, not by any legal institution or social norm. Before I was married, and when I shot 'Rang Rasiya', I was in a long relationship where my self-imposed boundaries were no less strong. When I'm in love, emotional commitment sets the boundaries, not legal status nor social cliches.
Q. Are you still open to film offers? If so, what films are you drawn to, and whom would you like to work with?
A. Of course I am, though sometimes it's hard to make the schedules work with a tri-continental life! Right from the start, most of my films have had a strong social or political consciousness, be it "Black", about rights of children with disabilities; "The War Within", about international terrorism; "The World Unseen", about apartheid; or "Rang Rasiya", about freedom of expression.
Q. Who are the Indian directors you'd like to work with?
A. It's an exciting time in Indian cinema. We have brilliant directors who make unique films that are captivating for a wide audience, yet have a strong social dimension like Raju (Rajkumar) Hirani, Pradeep Sarkar, Rakeysh (Omprakash) Mehra, Gauri Shinde, Vikram (Vikramaditya) Motwane, Ritesh Batra, to name a few.
I'm drawn to films that change the way we look at ourselves and our worlds, that make a difference without being arty or preachyA. I want to be in films that aren't afraid to break the mould.