Begum Jaan, the first Hindi movie directed by Srijit Mukherjee, is turning seven. The director reflects on this story of a message in a brothel

Seismic camera angles and booming background music are only two of the violent theatrical elements used to underline the symbolism of a brothel placed dangerously in No Man’s Land.

The significance of the “ribaldry during times of partition” concept is lost in long talks about communalism and the politics of sex. This harsh and nasty picture features a lot of elements intended to startle. The audience will find the sexual allusions that highlight women as objects of desire repulsive, as they are meant to.

This movie is not at all alluring or seductive, even if it is about beautiful ladies and sex. Grim, and often persistently so, is the mood. There are moments when the overwhelming desire to reject and stun is nauseating.

You wait for Srijit Mukherjee, the filmmaker, to allow his characters to become more relaxed and less burdened by their past and sexual experiences. However, the strain of constantly being violently bartered by power brokers does not go away.

Your opinions on Begum Jaan’s seven years?
This is a sentimental time. I vividly recall the first day of filming with Naseeruddin Shah and Vidya Balan. I am grateful that the Begum Jaan script is still on exhibit at the Partition museum in Amritsar. Furthermore, as the most recent Heeramandi video emphasizes, the voice of the revolution is that of the most marginalized and downtrodden people.

Why do you believe the completely different cast Bangla version of Begum Jaan succeeded so much better?
It was nearer to where I lived. It was natural. In any event, the Eastern version of the division story was never fully realized. Not to mention Rituparna, Jishu, Saswata Chatterjee, and Koushik Sen’s performances.

Do you believe that remakes in general are a watered-down version of the original work?
Yes, in this instance.

How do you think Vidya and Rituparna compare?
Vidya acknowledged that Ritu’s performance had more impact.
As a producer, how would you characterize Mahesh Bhatt?
quite non-intrusive.

After Begum Jaan’s flop, were you discouraged from directing Hindi movies?

I’ve created two: Sherdil, starring Pankaj Tripathi and Neeraj Kabi, and Shabash Mithu, starring Taapsee Pannu.

What role does Begum Jaan play in your repertoire?
as a remarkable encounter. collaborating with the amazing Vidya Balan, Asha Bhosle, and Mr. Bachchan (who provided the voiceover).

Heera Mandi appears comparable; what do you think?
Though very different in terms of approach, comparable in theme.