Director duo Sarmistha Maiti and Rajdeep Paul are the minds behind the soon-to-release film Kalkokkho (House of Time). The director duo is an alumnus of SRFTI. The Kolkata Mail correspondent caught up with the director duo in an exclusive chat about Kalkokkho. Excerpts..

How did you bag the project with Aurora Film Corporation?

Sarmistha Maiti- We began working with Aurora Film Corporation in 2017. Producer Anjan Bose asked us to start directing feature films in 2019. So we listened to his advice and started the shoot for our other film Mon-Potongo. But the lockdown began due to the global pandemic. And the lockdown went on happening in loops. We realized that shooting Mon-Potongo was difficult in such situations. We are thankful for the pandemic that made us see life in a different way. Had there been no pandemic, this film would not have been made.

The pandemic made us realize that even our breaths are toxic. We have not mentioned in the film which pandemic we are referring to. However, we had never thought that Anjan da would produce this film.

How did you convince producer Anjan Bose?

Rajdeep Paul- Well, to be honest convincing him is very difficult. But once he is convinced about your vision, he will give you all the freedom and support you need to make a film. He is very liberal as a producer.

How challenging was shooting the film during the pandemic?

Sarmistha Maiti- The film went on the floor in December 2020. We shot the film within fourteen days at a house in Kolkata. There are only six characters in this film. We had a team of 25 to 30 people. However, during the shoot of the film, no one was sick.

How did you pick the actors for Kalkokkho?

Rajdeep Paul- Since we shot the film during the pandemic, getting renowned actors was not possible. We were also looking for good actors. We were not banking on the celebrity status of the actor. We just wanted good performers so that they could blend well in the roles. Veteran actor Janardhan Ghosh is a part of the cast of the film.

How has the pandemic changed you as filmmakers or human beings?

Sarmistha Maiti- The global pandemic has seriously brought about changes in our mindset. Most of us were thinking of whether we would be alive or not. To shoot a film during such a situation and now the film is getting good appreciation feels really awesome.

Kalkokkho received good appreciation at the film festivals. How do you think the audience in Kolkata will react to the film?

Rajdeep Paul- The film will also release outside Kolkata. We have always wanted to reach a wider audience through this film. The film is a psychological journey and people will be able to connect with it. This is a courageous film and one has to spend time with it to understand it properly. It is not the see it and forget it kind of film. It stays with you.

The film is eyeing for release on 19^th August.

Priyanka Dutta