Probashi- Cover Story
Probashi- Cover Story
Interview with Goutam Ghose continues to be the costume designer for my films . Ma Bhoomi took two years to complete primarily because of financial bottlenecks . On 23 March 1979 the film was released . It was a major hit and marked break from the song and dance based Telegu movies . Even today after 33 years of the release of Ma Bhoomi a group of people in Andhra Pradesh celebrate the birthday of Ma Bhoomi on 23 March every year . The grip that the film still continues to have surprises me . Once I was invited to Alipur Jail , Calcutta for attending a painting exhibition by the convicts . The Jail Superintendent informed me that a Naxalite convict named Telegu Deepak wanted to meet me , I was intrigued and agreed . Telegu Deepak greeted me with a loud Daandam Dashakalu and thanked me for making Maa Bhoomi . He informed that the film had inspired many like him to become revolutionaries . I am told that even today Ma Bhoomi is considered a cult movie by Naxalities .
Your first national award was for Ma Bhoomi . How did it feel for a 28 year old to walk up to the stage and receive the award from no less than Dr Zakhir Hussain , President of India .
I was young then , out to change the world , and rather anti establishment in outlook . The honour from the establishment was not something to revel about .
So here you were now a top shot director , Producer ’ s would have queued up at your doorstep . It was logical to continue with Telegu Cinema . You never made another film in Telegu but concentrated on Bangla and Hindi cinema .
Ma Bhoomi box office success was entirely unexpected . Yes many
Telegu film producers approached , but the themes and topics didnot fire me . I wanted to make a film in Bangla based on Samaresh Bose ’ s novel Sreemati Café with the Bangla superstar Uttam Kumar in the lead , however untimely death of Uttam Kumar leads to shelving of the project .
Despite being a very successfull film director you continue to make documentaries . You have sketched on celluloid outstanding personalities like Satyajit Ray , Bismillah Khan , Kanika Bandhopadhyay , Dalai Lama , Utpal Dutt , Jyoti Basu amongst others . Which personality has influenced you the most ?
After having completed four feature films – MaBhoomi , Dakhal . Paar and Antarjali Yatra , I introspected and questioned whether whatever I was doing was it worthwhile . I thought of taking a hiatus from movies and explore other art forms , and the best way to do so was to make documentaries on artists across various art forms . First in this series was documentary on Utpal Dutt who was a friend . . The next on Kanika Bandhopadhyay ( Mohordi ) required all my persuasive skills to make Mohordi face the camera . She argued that with age she was not so attractive , I countered saying that each age has its beauty and that her voice is ageless and requested her to allow me to capture her and her voice for the future generations . My Father in Law and Mohordi were classmates at Shanti Niketan and that helped . The person who really changed me was Ustaad Bismillah Khan . It was a joy to film him . Ustaad Bismillah Khan reminded me that while there are lots of artists there are a very few saadhaks ( devotee of an art form ). I have never come across a more humble person in my life , and must I saw he changed me . Even today whenever in doubt or restive , I think of Ustaad Bismillah Khan . For the documentary on Satyajit Ray which was done after his death ,, Bijoya di ( Ray ’ s widow ) left his entire study at my disposal where I ventured with reverence .
We are to understand that Satyajit Ray had applauded your talent on many occasions . What was the best compliment he gave you ?
Manik da ( Ray ) saw all my films till Padma Nadir Majhi . He used to call
Gautam Ghose receives a pat on the back from the veteran film director Mrinal Sen