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Journalism of Courage
Three years ago,when I sat down to write a story,which I would eventually make into a film,I wondered what should the topic of my film be. I was certain about one thing the film will be based on a certain aspect of my life. When I pondered over it,I realised it was my pre-teen and teenage that was most interesting. Also,writing light stuff was something that came to me naturally.
As a teenager,I was plump and cranky,was constantly made fun of,poor in studies,couldnt play any sport because of being overweight and had a bunch of loser friends. I was also the least popular in school. In short,life was pretty boring. Growing up in the outskirts of Kolkata,in a convent setting and with minimum facilities,did not add to the excitement either. I wasnt fashionable at all. I always oiled my hair,did not wax till college and was just happy spending time with my friends making fun of everyone else. It was only when I realised that I was being loserly and miserable,I turned the tide in my favour by laughing at myself. I became the clown and the laughing stock of the class,and that is how I became popular.
When I began writing Gippi,the most important thing was to shed all inhibitions and dive into my life and bring out the best and the most memorable anecdotes. I did not want to try and appear cool because I knew that none of us had cool teenage lives. So I even borrowed the characters and characteristics from people in my real life. Teenage was also about sharing those little secrets with your close friends. My best friend Aanchal and I used to have these talks with a few sexual connotations.
When I was growing up,the most embarrassing aspects of my life were when my mother often declared my growing up in front of others. There were times when we would be in a gathering and my mum would look at me and loudly shout,Kahin tere periods toh nahin start huye (Havent your periods started?) and I would want to bury my face somewhere. There was also a time when we were seated with a few friends and she looked at me and said,I think tujhe bra ki zaroorat hai! (I think you need a bra!). Anecdotes like these and many more have made it to my film.
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