‘Every film is a make or mar film’

Nonika Singh

Like a true blue Punjabi, director Anurag Singh, who makes his big ticket Bollywood debut with Kesari next week, is candid, honest and earnest. He does not sugarcoat his assertions or seek cover in pompous hyperbole to make a pitch about his most ambitious film till date. Kesari is historical fiction and not authentic to the T, he admits candidly. 

It is another story that much research has gone into film’s making and several facts — from the costumes to the kind of ammunition used in 1897 — have been factored in. But in the end, “A film is film and not a documentary,” says the director. As for the huge interest in the Battle of Saragarhi which is the crux of the film and on which at one point several films were being made, he adds, “I guess this is a story whose time had come.” 

For those who have doubts about the relevance of the war between Sikh soldiers of the British Indian Army and Pashtun Orakzai tribesmen, he says, “Bravery is bravery and it does not matter whether our Indian soldiers were part of the British Army or not. Ultimately, they were fighting for their honour and pride. They fought as proud Sikhs. Just the fact of 21 soldiers against 10,000 adversaries is an amazing tale that needs to be told.” 

He, in fact, is both surprised and shocked as to why this particular historical incident has not been given its due in history books. That is where he feels the film will serve a great purpose and fill the void. Not that the film is a blow by blow account of the feat of all 21 soldiers. He admits, “You need to prioritise and all 21 soldiers can’t get the same footage. Certain characters do take precedence over others.” Expectedly, when titular character Havildar Ishar Singh is etched by superstar Akshay Kumar, the camera is bound to follow him more. Anurag makes no excuses about Akshay’s presence in the film. For a director who has delivered superhits with Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh, Anurag feels that having a superstar on board has more pluses than minuses. “The reach they have, their fan base and then there is a huge likeability factor which implies they can pull off many things.” 

Akshay, however, scores brownie points with Anurag not just for his superstardom but his desire to tell a story of Punjab. “We must appreciate that he is taking this story of Sikh community across and even beyond India.” Being a Punjabi and a Sikh himself has held him in good stead and helped him to put across the inspirational philosophy of his religion, admits Anurag. 

“Yet, making a film, a period one at that is never easy,” he insists. Creating a set in the interiors of Maharashtra replicating the locale of North Western Frontier Province (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, in Pakistan) was one part of the problem. Then capturing it on camera required both imagination and felicity. So what were his standing instructions to his cinematographer Anshul Chobey who, judging by the trailer, has done a remarkable job? Taking inspiration from David Lean, Anurag wanted landscape to be an integral part of the film, something that was achieved with wide lens. Of course, comparing Kesari with a Bahubali or a Padmaavat would be unwarranted, for the subject never demanded opulence. Certainly a period film does place demands of its own which become all the more daunting when there are few reference points or archival material. 

However, to the naysayers who will still object ; why didn’t Akshay Kumar actually grow his beard and hair, Anurag implores, “Just after saying our prayers or a path, we seek forgiveness from almighty. I would beseech viewers to pay attention to our intentions and not just attention to detail. Look at the bigger picture that emanates from sincere emotions. ” The man who gave us a sensitive movie like Punjab 1984 admits to being all heart, “Unlike other makers who think more with their head I let my heart rule.” But then as they say the heart knows best. 

A narrative of immense courage told by a throbbing heart and Kesari won’t be just another colour, but hopefully fly high as symbol of martyrdom and peerless sacrifice.

“Bravery is bravery and it does not matter whether our Indian soldiers were part of the British Army or not. Ultimately, they were fighting for their honour and pride. They fought as proud Sikhs. Just the fact of 21 soldiers against 10,000 adversaries is an amazing tale that needs to be told.” — Director Anurag Singh