From Purulia to Venice: Anuparna Roy’s journey from overcoming parents’ concerns to bagging best director title at film fest

“When she called us at 12:20 am from Italy where it was 8:30 pm and gave us the news, we could not believe our ears. She said she finally has won. It took us time to realise what she achieved…We are elated,” said Brahmananda Roy (63), a retired colliery officer, speaking to The Indian Express from their residence in Kulti, Paschim Bardhaman.

Anuparna, who hails from Narayanpur village under Nitoria police station in Purulia, passed her Madhyamik from Ranipur Colliery School and her Higher Secondary from Napara High School, her parents said.

“She did her graduation with honours in English from Kulti College. Since childhood, she has been fond of reading books and writing. Then she went to Delhi to study mass communication. She then suddenly moved to Mumbai where she did a number of jobs including in IT sales,” said Manisha Roy (57), her mother.

 

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“Initially we had objections to her working in the ‘film line’. We were concerned. I think as parents, it was normal. We knew nothing of the filmmaking profession. We objected to changing jobs frequently and investing all her salary into her films. She stayed in a rented apartment with two other girls in Mumbai. I even sent her some money which she used in her films. We mocked her by saying, will you become Satyajit Ray? She used to say she can’t be Ray, but will not stop working in films. She was adamant and strong willed from the beginning. Now we see we were wrong. She proved herself,” said Brahmananda.

“She had her fair share of struggles. She was always tough. We were worried for her and what she was doing because we never understood films. But it was her passion and today we see where our daughter has gone. From a village in Purulia to Italy to win the award,” said Manisha.

Anupama is supposed to return to Mumbai on Monday, after which she will come home. “Whenever she came home from Mumbai, she made me cook rice and mutton for her. We are waiting for her to return,” Manisha said.

Anuparna’s first short film was ‘Run to the River’. Song of Forgotten Trees depicts the story of two women who share an apartment in Mumbai and develop a deep connection despite their different backgrounds.