Dibakar Banerjee, the renowned filmmaker behind celebrated films like Khosla Ka Ghosla and Shanghai, finds himself caught in a surreal situation where the real world is eerily mirroring the story of his unreleased film Tees. After the movie, originally slated for release on Netflix, was shelved due to external controversies, Banerjee feels conflicted about whether to view the situation positively or negatively.
At the second edition of the Cinevesture International Film Festival, Tees was screened to a full house, with the filmmaker offering insights into his experience. The film features an ensemble cast, including Naseeruddin Shah, Manisha Koirala, Huma Qureshi, Shashank Arora, Neeraj Kabi, and Divya Dutta. The narrative explores multiple timelines, including one set in 1989 during the Kashmir conflict, and another in 2018, focusing on a woman’s struggle to secure a home in Mumbai due to her name.
Reflecting on his own journey, Banerjee expressed how the film’s fate mirrored its storyline. “I could foresee many things, but not this—after spending years working with Netflix, Tees wasn’t released. It was meant to be a dream project, following the success of Khosla Ka Ghosla,” the director, 55, shared in an interview. “Now, that dream feels like a nightmare, and it’s bizarre to live out the film’s narrative in real life.”
Originally titled Freedom, the film’s release was postponed following the controversy surrounding the Prime Video series Tandav. Banerjee admitted that while the delay saddened him, he was struck by how fiction and reality had converged. “A senior filmmaker told me, ‘If it’s happening to you, it means you’re doing something meaningful,'” he recalled. “The film got stuck because we’re living in a time where we’re constantly self-censoring to avoid legal repercussions.”
Despite the challenges, Banerjee stands by the film’s worth. “There’s nothing in Tees that’s unworthy of being seen, but fear of legal issues has stopped its release. People make films for fame or money, but no one wants to face police cases,” he stated.
The filmmaker also shared that the delay pushed him into a “dark hole,” but therapy and support from close ones helped him regain perspective. “There’s sadness, but I’ve come to realize that it’s not all about me,” Banerjee said. “I’ve been through tough times, but I understand the importance of moving on to new projects, like my next film.”
Tees was born out of Banerjee’s desire to portray the life of a middle-class Indian family. “I wanted to show how, despite our differences, families across India, like those in Srinagar or Chandigarh, share common values,” he explained. The film, which delves into the Kashmir conflict, also explores themes such as the struggle for clean air amidst technological advancement.
Banerjee, who describes himself as a tech enthusiast, used artificial intelligence in his recent film LSD 2. While he sees his debut, Khosla Ka Ghosla, as a more accessible narrative within family dynamics, he believes his current work challenges the norm. “The industry demands entertainment, but I want to create films that provoke thought,” he emphasized.
The filmmaker acknowledged the struggle of creating films that challenge societal structures, such as oligarchy, capitalism, and state repression. “We fight against distraction and a shrinking attention span because we know that if people start thinking, it can threaten the status quo,” Banerjee said.
Drawing from his own experiences, Banerjee compared himself to a soldier accustomed to battle, having faced both industry and personal struggles. “I am used to fighting now, but I do it with love and without cynicism,” he reflected.
Emerging from his darker period, Banerjee found solace in staying connected with those around him. “If you don’t stay socially engaged and respect people, you’re at risk of isolation. And isolation makes it easier for powers to control us,” he noted.
Looking ahead, Banerjee is already working on his next projects. “It feels like starting over again, and I consider myself lucky,” he said. “Few filmmakers my age get the chance to begin anew. It’s a brilliant opportunity to evolve beyond my legacy.”
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