Entertainment: Abhiraj Minawala on carrying the Mardaani legacy forward

Entering an established universe may seem like a cakewalk but comes with its own set of challenges. Abhiraj Minawala, director of hard-hitting Mardaani 3, understood the responsibility of carrying forward a franchise only too well. The task he knew was doubly onerous since Mardaani and its lead character of super-cop Shivani Shivaji Roy had been created by a stalwart, late director Pradeep Sarkar.But when he read the story of Mardaani 3, he connected to it as father of a young daughter and completely related to fears which human trafficking evokes. While the intense film has given audiences many goose-bump moments, interestingly he recalls two scenes when despite being the maker himself, Abhiraj felt more than a shiver down his spine. One concerns the antagonist Amma’s entry scene where she is carrying a dead child in her bag and steps out of a white Mercedes. Then in another key scene not just he but the entire crew on the set stood transfixed. He shares, “It was when Rani ma’am (Mukerji) did her confrontation scene with tears flowing of free will. If you see the film again just watch how she did the entire emotive scene in one take.”Indeed, he is still trying to figure out how to direct a powerhouse performer like Rani. No, he was neither intimidated by the realisation that she has lived the character in two films before he came on board, nor by the fact that she is YRF boss Aditya Chopra’s wife. He asserts, “She is a thorough professional and I am awed by her passion for acting which has not diminished one bit, even after being in the profession for three decades. At best, I could have only harnessed her talent and used her experience.”Anyway, it’s from directors like Yash Chopra whom he assisted in Jab Tak Hai Jaan that he learnt the all important lesson of allowing actors the space to be themselves. He recalls, “Yash ji would never act it out for them. Just tell them the mood of the scene and thereafter they had the freedom to enact as they wished.”Of course, during prep, he and his lead actress did discuss how Shivani Shivaji Roy, Rani’s character, was going to be more mature and emotional in the third outing. Why do we need sequels and threequels in the first place is explained by him with rationale. He says, “For me, it’s more about franchise model, the need to carry on the love that the character has received.” But that does not mean a new outing is ‘a day in the life of Shivani Shivaji…’ Rather he insists, “Mardaani 4 would happen only if we have a good story to tell.”Associated with YRF, best known for big-budget, tent-pole films, stars and superstars for him are much-needed value-addition. As a maker he feels, “First of all, they have not become superstars overnight. Fans have reposed faith in their talent for years and it’s my job to reinforce their trust in their icons.”Audiences, he observes, are smart enough to know the difference between his film and Delhi Crime Season 3 which, too, was about trafficking. Though his directorial dealt with a relevant issue of how young children are picked up for clinical trials, cinema for him is not about messaging. “It’s not a platform to air your views but means to entertain viewers, only caveat is there shouldn’t be any unnecessary negativity around it,” he adds.Critical response to his film might not have been near unanimous but he is not peeved by negative reviews. He says, “I do not take censure in negative light. Critics are not writing for the heck of it and I am willing to draw a lesson from their opinion and use it in my next.”So, what next… is met with, “Well, my loyalties are with YRF and we are working on several subjects. More recently, I have been assigned the task of being an associate for action, a role created by Adi sir.” Between action and emotion, he avers, “Without emotion no action howsoever well mounted and stupendous can work.”And if Shivani Shivaji Roy represents compassion for him, Mardaani 3 is ‘a voice for justice.’ His own voice is one of reason, clarity and control. No wonder, instead of hyperboles, logic reigns in his conversation with us.

Entertainment: Abhiraj Minawala on carrying the Mardaani legacy forward

Nonika Singh

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