There’s comedy in tragedy: Shashant Shah

Ever wondered about your ‘bucket list’? Shashant Shah’s critically acclaimed ‘Dasvidaniya’ is a pun on the list of ten things to be done before death starring Vinay Pathak.
Recently, 'Dasvidaniya’ received a wonderful opportunity to be screened as an Indian film production - for the very first time in the history of the Cottbus film festival. Cottbus was ranked by ‘Variety’ among the ‘top 50 must attend festivals’ worldwide.
With the film 'Dasvidaniya' generating enthusiasm among the festival organizers, the Director of the film Shashant Shah has been further invited as a member of the International Festival Jury 2010 - and as such to present his work in person to the festival audience.
The elated director, who is on cloud nine, shares his excitement with TOI...
Your film is being screened at the prestigious Cottbus Festival of East European Cinema. How do you feel?
It feels great. I am really happy that ‘Dasvidaniya’ is the first Hindi film to be screened at the festival. Honestly, I am surprised as I wasn’t expecting it. I am truly honoured as I am also the jury member of the same and it is really overwhelming.
Any special movies you are looking forward to watch at the festival?
To be very honest, I didn’t get time to go through the film list, I have been very busy and committed at present for my next project, ‘Challo Dilli’. However, I am looking forward to expose myself to all kinds of films.
People you are looking forward to meet at the festival
I want to meet President of Cottbus film festival, Oscar-winner Istvan Szabo (Hungary). He’s a brilliant man.
Despite of ‘Dasvidaniya’ being a great film, it was not able to create much hype, back home. Do you think ‘A league’ star cast really matters?
I personally like most of the actors we have here and abroad. ‘Dasvidaniya’ has been written keeping in mind Vinay Pathak and I think he has done complete justice to the film. Vinay is the co-producer, partner and my friend. I am really happy with the result of the movie. Although, I believe, had it been co-produced by some big Bollywood banner, it could have done much better.
I’m not blaming anyone as it has got the required recognition by getting screened at the film festival after almost two years. Arshad Sayed, the writer of the film has done a wonderful job.
Your equation with Vinay Pathak...
Vinay is a friend. Since 10 years, we have been together; Vinay, Arshad Sayed, Ranvir Shorey and me worked in Channel V together few years ago.
You are working with Lara Dutta for the first time for Challo Dilli. How is she on the sets?
Lara Dutta is very intelligent. So, it makes the work easier. Honestly, I haven’t interacted with her much, it was only 5-6 meetings and I can say that she’s very classy.
How is the transition from Comedy (The Great Indian Comedy Show) to the serious films like ‘Dasvidaniya’?
I would not call it a transition as I believe there is ‘Tragedy in Comedy’ and ‘Comedy in Tragedy’. Everyone was expecting that I’ll be making a comedy flick but I wanted to make something more realistic, more of a daily life. People actually came to me and said, “You made us cry” and I could just say “All for the right reasons”.
I love Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s ‘Chupke Chupke’ and ‘Golmaal’ and I also like ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’. So, I can say, I did ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’ in ‘Dasvidaniya’. I am not restricting myself; I am any day ready to make a horror or thriller also if the script sounds good.
Tell us something about your next ‘Chalo Dilli’.
I cannot speak much about the movie right now. Although, I can say it’s a comedy movie starring Vinay Pathak and Lara Dutta.
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