Raja Ghosh: It’s a privilege to see ‘Chabiwala’ at KIFF, feels like homecoming for us

After fetching accolades at several international film festivals, it’s finally a feeling of homecoming for Raja Ghosh directed ‘Chabiwala’. The critically acclaimed film will complete for the Asian Select NETPAC Award at the 28^th Kolkata International Film Festival. The film will be screened on December 16 and 22. With a host of experienced actors like Amrita Chattopadhyay, Subhasish Mukherjee, Sohag Sen, Dhritiman Chaterji, Koushik Kar among others in key roles ‘Chabiwala’ is the story of a group of people who are entangled in each other’s life unknowingly — a young key maker Bhaben, his lost love, the village headman’s daughter Fatima, an old key maker Nagen, a writer Amlan, a criminal lawyer Zaira and few more important characters. The filmmaker who has previously collaborated with several short films and documentaries is pretty much excited for his film’s KIFF selection. “It is indeed homecoming for our film. ‘Chabiwala’ has received appreciation at several prestigious film festivals but the chance to show my film in Kolkata, that too at KIFF, is a dream come true moment. Since I am an independent filmmaker, any festival recognition gives filmmakers like us a great opportunity to meet and greet with industry peers, acclaimed directors, actors, producers which in turn open up a market for funding our projects. So, yes I am looking forward to ‘Chabiwala’s KIFF screening,” shares Raja Ghosh. Speaking about the film and what he wanted to establish with it, the director further explained, “Being a documentarian, strolling aimlessly about my city, I happened upon a dejected keysmith who regularly travels up to Calcutta to find someone he lost long back to the crowd. I've always been fascinated by the idiosyncrasies of outcasts, their mirth, vulnerabilities, heartbreaks. As the ecosystem has already forsaken and forbidden 70% of the marginalised individuals as wastes, I feel I can echo their cries and whispers. Bhaben is one tight smack on the face of our congregated callousness towards the lot. His indifference to become rich subjugates the agencies of rat race and his indisputable love for Fatima the futile communal differences.” Meanwhile, Amrita who plays the layered character of Fatima in the film shared why this film is so close to her heart, “Many scripts promise you the significance of silence in your character, but only very few live up to it. Chabiwala does. Though Fatima is not a very silent person, but there are times, when her oscillations become conspicuous without the aid of dialogues or any other device but the subtle change in her countenance. This film gave me the vulnerability that every actor yearns for. It let me explore the character closest to its being.”