‘Falaknuma Das’ is realistic, high-end: Vishwak Sen

Vishwak Sen awaits the release of ‘Falaknuma Das’ on May 31.  In this interview, he talks about directing and acting in the film, what makes it special, the pre-release buzz for it, the kind of films he likes and more.  

Both acting & direction are my life

I was always aiming to become both a filmmaker and an actor.  These two are like two eyes for me.  I had acted in ‘Vellipomakey’, which not many have heard of.  It was never made to become a hit.  We made it on a budget of Rs 18 lakh.  It was an art film.  

How it all started

I had started out with ‘Falaknuma Das’ before ‘Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi’ came to me.  But since I am its producer, I had the liberty to shelve the film and move to ‘ENE’.  More than acting in and directing ‘FD’, I felt that the production part was more difficult.  

When I watched ‘Angamalay Dairies’, I felt that Hyderabad is more colourful than the town shown in the Malayalam film.  So, I told myself I should make my own version of it.  

An emotional drama

‘Falaknuma Das’ is about emotions, friendships, familial emotions, how we bond with each other through thick and thin.  The second half of the film is anchored around emotions.  The quality of the sound and the camera work are totally high-end. The film is unpredictable, no matter how much of your grey cells you use to predict it.  The film has no regular pattern.  

That’s why Falaknuma

The film is set in 2009.  The architecture that was found back then is no more found now in much of Hyderabad.  Falaknuma is one place which has not undergone much change over the decades.  Most people liken the locality to just the Falaknuma Palace.  But there is a whole ‘basthi’ life behind the palace.  Our film explores it.  

It’s like a biopic

I have made the film as a biopic of Das.  It traces his entire journey from his childhood through adulthood.  The homework I did for this movie started right since my childhood.  

A pucca Hyderabadi

I used to stay at Dilsukhnagar till my Intermediate.  I am a journalism student and I am yet to clear three subjects.  There are a few muted words in the movie.  The Censor Board didn’t ask us to delete any scene.  Tharun Bhascker has done a cop’s role and it’s not like he could have done only that role.  He could have pulled off any role in the movie.  My voice has been affected by dubbing for the film and the promotional activities.  

Huge pre-release buzz

I am so confident about my movie.  The rage in favour of this movie is superb.  Advance bookings are huge everywhere, be it in Hyderabad or towns like Warangal.  

Realistic conversations

Tharun Bhascker’s ‘Sinema’ opened my eyes to the reality of dialogues.  I had been under the impression that lines in films should be different from how we talk in daily life.  In ‘FD’, you will see very slice-of-life conversations.  

Suresh Productions bought it right away

D Suresh Babu garu is very experienced.  He bought the film as soon as he watched the Teaser.  I have known him since ‘Ee Nagaraniki Emaindi’.  Most producers are concerned only with comedy scenes, item songs, etc.  But he thinks differently and encourages films like ‘C/o Kancharapalem’.  

Will try different roles

It’s not like I want to do only rough kinda roles.  My next film will be a comedy drama.  You will see me doing a lot of comedy in it.  I will do only ‘hatke’ movies. Had I felt that I wouldn’t be apt for the role of Das, I would have cast some other actor. Since I know the role and the script totally, I thought I should play Das myself.