Rubaiyat Hossain, who debuted as a director with the controversial film Meherjaan which was pulled out of theatres due to a huge dispute caused by a group of audience after its release in January, 2011, is coming up with her second feature film Under Construction.
The film features two prominent Indian actors Rahul Bose and Shahana Goswami in lead roles and is a feminist film according to the director.
The shooting phase of the film has been finished recently.
Dhaka Tribune has caught up with the aspiring director to let the readers know the details of the movie and more.
What is the film about?
The protagonist of the film is a character named “Roya” [played by Shahana] who is a theatre actor and has been playing the lead character of Tagore’s masterpiece Raktakarobi for 12 years.
The film starts when the 33-year-old actor is replaced with a younger actor. It changes her relationships with the people around her: theatre troupe members, family members and friends. Then she meets an art curator who travels all around the world to showcase his native art products to the rest of the world. She joins him in a project where Raktakarobi is being reinterpreted.
What is the reason behind the title?
It’s a psychological journey of a woman on the backdrop of a patriarchal society. It’s a feminist film though I believe the concept of “feminism” has no specific structure all around the world. Just for example, a woman wearing hijaab has her interpretation of feminism, while a lady comfortable with short skirts has another interpretation. Moreover, every day we are adding and deducting more things to the concept. The “Under Construction” nature of the idea inspired me to go with such a title.
Why have you casted Indian actors in the film?
I didn’t have any intention to cast “Indian” actors. I met both the actors before I planned for the movie. I developed a good understanding with them individually since they usually act in the kind of movies I appreciate. Later, when I decided to move with the script I felt Rahul and Shadhana would do real justice to the characters.
When do you want to release it?
I want to work delicately in the post production, so I will find a suitable time next year to release the film.
Tell us about your reaction to what happened with Meherjaan?
It was a total disappointment. Meherjaan was my first movie and I was very much emotionally attached with it. Many might dislike it, many might argue with the philosophy of the movie, but to pull it out from the theatres showed we are still not ready to accept something out of the box. It was very shocking.
How did you overcome the shock and return with a new film?
That incident was really discouraging, but I didn’t allow myself to succumb to sorrow. This time I’m less emotional and more professional. Though, the film might again hurt the orthodox people since the feminist point of view towards many social norms and values has been portrayed boldly.
