Aunty Sudha Aunty Radha- a documentary directed by Tanuja Chandra that premiered at the Madrid International Film Festival was showcased at Asia Premiere this year at the Jio MAMI 21^st Mumbai Film Festival with Star. The Kolkata Mail correspondent Priyanka Dutta caught up with the talented director in an exclusive chat about her documentary. Excerpts…

How did you come up with the idea of this documentary Aunty Sudha Aunty Radha?

Tanuja Chandra- My aunts have very interesting personalities and I always thought they would make for a good subject of a film. However, when they moved to the village after the husbands had passed away and they had no familial responsibilities, this became even more interesting to me. And when I was told by my mother that the two sisters had an entourage of quirky people who looked after them, some of them quite old as well, it became a complete story for me. That’s when I was sure I wanted to make this documentary.

Treat aging with grace- this is what the documentary showcases. How did you think of incorporating this idea in your debut documentary?

Tanuja Chandra- This theme was very much present in the story itself. Two old ladies living out the autumn of their lives as if it was the spring really – it’s all about aging gracefully. Of course, once I got there and saw the way my aunts as well as the help were mutually dependent on each other, this theme only grew more solid.

The documentary premiered at the Madrid International Film Festival. What kind of response did you get there?

Tanuja Chandra– The response was quite fantastic! There were viewers from several parts of the world, none of them Hindi speaking, and they related to the subject so closely, it was fascinating for me and Anupama Mandloi, the producer. After Madrid, we had an even better response in Chicago and Seattle in our US premiere. Here people laughed as if we were screening a mainstream comedy film! It was so amazing for me to be a part of this collective joy in a movie theatre.

Women and to a certain extent men also are so hell bent on maintaining their youth or retaining their younger beauty. In such a situation, what kind of message do you think will your film convey to the audience?

Tanuja Chandra- Well, the world’s love for youth and beauty, I can hardly hope to make a dent in, but surely it’s a matter of pride for me and my team to speak of old age with affection. Not just that, the film clearly implies that old age can teach us so much about relationships, about emotions, and lastly and most importantly, about death. This is something we each of us, will come face to face with. Isn’t it crucial for us to think about it and navigate our feelings and indeed, our lives with the fact of death? Beauty isn’t just physical – yes, there is so much importance given to that and to the longing of staying young for as long as we can, but compassion and sharing one’s life with others – these are if not more, than surely as important. This is the beauty that will last long after the physical kind has left us.

So you made your debut as an actor too. How was the experience like?

Tanuja Chandra- Ha! Well, I wouldn’t call it my debut as an actor! Rather as a participant in a portrayal of true life. I was myself, the niece of these two protagonists. And to tell you the truth if there was anyone somewhat self-conscious, it was me, not them or the help. And that’s simply because they weren’t concerned with impressing anyone whereas it did cross my mind a couple times while in front of the camera, if I was behaving fine or looking fine. But once the conversations began I forgot about the cameras like them and slipped into listening to them about their lives. I laughed with them, I felt what they felt and basically, enjoyed myself. So while I would prefer to stay behind the camera in future, I must say this was a humbling and enriching experience.

Instances of elderly people not being taken care of are regularly reported in the media. Do you think your film will help in making the people understand to some extent as to how the elderly must be treated?

Tanuja Chandra- I can only hope for that. Movies don’t really change the world. It is cultures that affect the stories we tell, so really, it’s the other way around. That said, I must say that movies, especially documentaries, bring to our awareness that there is a large world out there that we must learn of, and experience if possible. That our small, limited worlds are not the only one of importance!! Films are so relevant in this aspect, and if my simple film can bring about a tiny amount of empathy in the hearts of viewers toward the elderly, it would be more than wonderful for me.

What kind of reaction do you expect at Jio MAMI 21^st Mumbai Film Festival with Star?

Tanuja Chandra- MAMI is my favorite festival and we had really great screenings in front of the home crowd. This was our Asia premiere and I was pretty nervous. But we had full houses, which are just a pleasure for filmmakers to behold, and we had such warmth and laughter emanating in the halls that it really made me feel fortunate to have been able to make this film. People were reminded of the old in their own families and that’s the constant reaction in all our screenings. Some even felt the need to reach out to their relatives whom they hadn’t spoken to in a while, and a couple said they’d like to make similar films about them. One person said it was pure filmmaking, like one does in the early days of their career, and many had welled up eyes, which was amazing. I’m delighted that audiences have embraced my aunts!

Do we next get to see you making short films or content for the digital medium?

Tanuja Chandra- I’ve already made two short films that have done very well. One was for ZEE5, named Silvat, with Kartik Aaryan, a couple years ago, and the other was a film with Konkona, called A Monsoon Date, which premiered at MAMI last year and has since traveled to over ten festivals across the world, and is still traveling. I love short films and I plan to keep making them. And yes, digital content as well!! The long format is exciting and adventurous and my next is going to be one such.

Short films are growing in importance gradually. How will the Jio MAMI festival help in the promotion of such films??

Tanuja Chandra- Shorts are a fabulous medium and I wish they were more common in India. They can be so unusual and have new voices, that they are very significant in taking storytelling as well as entertainment forward. MAMI has always welcomed shorts. This year as well some very cool ones were selected for the festival. I enjoyed them and hope to only see more and more in future.

Your film will be premiering at the Jio MAMI 21st Mumbai film festival. How excited are you about it??

Tanuja Chandra- After the US, I was delighted to be selected for MAMI in the Spotlight section. My team and I looked forward to it greatly and we were so happy with the response. I feel, at the end of the festival, gratitude and joy.

We wish all the best to the talented director and hope that she continues to make such heart touching films in the future too!!