Bhootpori: I want to explore friendship between people from different generations, says director Soukarya Ghosal

Q. When did the germ of this kind of horror come to your mind?

A. I always wanted to make a horror film. I wanted to make a horror story through the lens of the East. The references so far which we have are very biblical. We have watched a lot of horror films from the West. But we haven't adapted a lot of texts of horror stories from the East in the film. In biblical references, ghosts are devilish or evil. But in the East, ghosts are humane and funny. Discounting the fact they are scary, ghosts have emotions like humans.

Q. How was the relationship between the ghost (played by Jaya Ahsan) and the child (played by Bishantak Mukherjee) in the film?

A. I wanted to explore the friendship between a lonely ghost and a child. They have a huge age gap. Both do not take each other seriously. In this kind of a scenario, they quarrel, fight, bond, laugh but from two different planes.

Q. Have you consciously brought the friendship between two with age gaps?

A. I generally explore friendships of different age brackets because that is normal. But in practice, we don't make friends with a kid. In family gatherings, we segregate all kids. The same is faced by aged people as well. This loneliness is prevalent. The friendship between older and younger people is very important. I want to explore it in all films.

Image by Avishek Mitra/IBNS

Q. You have also explored a very less explored genre.

A. A few films like Bhooter Bhobishyot, Ballabhpurer Roopkotha have been made but yes, not in big numbers. But there is no such reason. Both producers are eager to make and the audience is interested. I am clueless why horror films are rarely made. Maybe Bengali directors and writers are more inclined to make detective and thrillers.

Q. How was working with Jaya Ahsan?

A. She is a very well behaved person. Bhootpori is my first work with Jaya. She is very down to earth, maintains decorum which helps me to work. Decorum is very important for artistes to work. Mutual respect, attention and time from an actor helps the director to run the show. I feel Jaya wants to maintain the trust level with the director and co-actors for her to function. Her trust level with the director is very strong.

(Images by Avishek Mitra/IBNS)

The writer is a Kolkata-based entertainment, sports and political correspondent with IBNS. He can be reached on thisissouvikghosh@gmail.com