ANAMIKA HAKSAR SPEAKS EXCLUSIVELY TO FRIDAY BRANDS AFTER HER HUGELY SUCCESSFUL SCREENING IN SUNDANCE
Friday Brands: For many film makers Sundance scores higher than a Cannes selection. Did you see this coming?
Anamika: Sundance has come as a wonderful surprise and seems to be much more political and experimental than Cannes. Though I do not really know about the nature of the Cannes festival. No, I did not see this coming.
Friday Brands: The name of the film reminds us of Saeed MIrza’s film titles like Salim Lagde…,Albert pinto…Who thought of this very quirky, lenghty and intriguing titles?
Anamika: This Title came from a story told by my aunt to me when I was in college. She had gone for her music lesson to Old Delhi. She hailed a tangawala, “Tum kaha ja rahe ho?” and he replied, “Ghode ko jalebi khilane le jaa riya hoon”. This stayed in my mind and I used it for the title of my film.
Friday Brands: What was so compelling in the story that you embarked on this journey after 4 decades of highly appreciated work in theatre?
Anamika: The multilayers of Old Delhi, where History, Labour, Nostalgic memory weave together to form a diverse landscape of dreams and memories. Where people live with dignity, courage and humour despite great difficulties… this is something that only a film could catch.
Friday Brands: Is it autobiographical in any sense at all ?.
Anamika: No, it is not autobiographical in any sense.
Friday Brands: Can’t help but smell the sarcasm in the title.. Are you making a serious comment on something that’s close to your heart?!
Anamika: The title is left to interpretation.
Friday Brands: Sundance is a huge appreciation, it will not let you get back to theatre soon…so what’s unspooling next
Anamika: Definitely theatre, as soon as I can pay my debts.
Friday Brands: Is a theatrical release looking more real after Sundance or will you settle for a digital release
Anamika: I would like a theatrical release. Even after Sundance, there is no offer for releasing the film. Since the film revolves around people in the street, a theatrical release is more meaningful. We would prefer a theatrical release and then later a digital release
