Tisca Chopra Discusses Her Directorial Debut with 'Saali Mohabbat'
Tisca Chopra's Journey into Directing
After a successful career in theater, film, and television, Tisca Chopra unveiled her aspirations as a filmmaker with the short film Chutney in 2016. This project, directed by Jyoti Kapur Das and co-written by Chopra, features her in a pivotal role and presents a captivating narrative where appearances can be deceiving.
Following Chutney, Chopra co-wrote and starred in two additional short films, Chhuri (2017) and Rubaru (2020). Now, with Saali Mohabbat, she steps into the director's role.
Produced in collaboration with Manish Malhotra, Saali Mohabbat features Radhika Apte as a housewife harboring secrets. The film also includes performances from Anshumaan Pushkar, Divyenndu, Sauraseni Maitra, Anurag Kashyap, and Sharat Saxena. Viewers can catch the premiere on ZEE5 on December 12.
In a recent interview, Chopra shared insights about the inspiration behind Saali Mohabbat and her directorial approach. Here are some highlights from the conversation.
As an established actor, how does it feel to transition to directing a feature film?
It hasn’t fully registered yet. I was simply continuing my journey, and now I feel a sense of accomplishment.
Shabana Azmi once mentioned her ongoing struggle to find quality roles. I realized it would be wise to create my own opportunities rather than wait for them, ensuring I have scripts ready and can direct my films when I choose.
The positive reception of Chutney certainly motivated me as well.
What themes influenced Saali Mohabbat?
I collaborated with my husband, Sanjay Chopra, on the script, alongside co-writer Namrata Shenoy.
I have a penchant for intricate, twisty narratives. My fascination lies in the complexities of human nature and the internal conflicts that arise, which often mirror external circumstances. The drama of nature, like storms and earthquakes, parallels the seismic shifts in our lives. I am intrigued by the interplay of greed and desire.
What inspired the character portrayed by Radhika Apte?
As a child, I often traveled with my parents and would observe people on buses, pondering their stories and lives. This curiosity about ordinary individuals left a lingering sadness in me, knowing I would never fully understand their experiences.
In today's world, where people often compete for attention through extravagant displays, I wonder about those who remain unnoticed. Could it be that those who seek attention lead empty lives, while the quieter ones possess rich inner worlds? This notion sparked the concept for the film.
What qualities did you seek in your cast?
Primarily, I looked for skilled actors. The script carried the emotional weight, so I needed performers who could convey depth with subtlety. I advised Radhika to embrace restraint in her portrayal, allowing the script to shine through without excessive embellishment.
As a director with an acting background, I aimed to step back and trust my cast's instincts, including Radhika, Divyenndu, Anurag, Sharat, Sauraseni, and Anshumaan.
Initially, I considered acting in the film as well, but that might have been overwhelming.
How did Manish Malhotra become involved as a producer?
A mutual friend informed me that Manish was interested in producing films. I have known him since our first project together, which unfortunately never materialized. Thankfully, this film did.
Is there a possibility of a sequel to Saali Mohabbat? Will you continue directing?
I hope to create a sequel, depending on the audience's response to this film. We already have a script prepared. I believe this story has more to unfold.
I intend to direct more projects in the future, with two already in the works. I also want to produce and act in them. We’ll see how it all unfolds.