bandit-queen-was-an-emotional-struggle-seema-biswas

In an exclusive interview, Biswas, who was here to attend the International Film Festival of Shimla, recollected her emotional struggle while doing the ‘lifetime role’ in her first movie ‘Bandit Queen’, which is fresh in her mind three decades on, and the journey thereafter.

 

 

How did you get such a bold and unconventional role?

 

I was a theatre activist. I never thought of working in films. Shekhar Kapur, who had seen my photo, came to watch a play enacted by me at NSD Repertory Company, Delhi. He met me, told me about the movie and said I would be the ‘Bandit Queen’. I asked for the script.  The role was dynamic, lifetime and the movie was sure to create a history. But I was confused as to how I would do such a bold role. I was shy by nature and my mind was not supporting me to go for a complete nude scene as demanded by the movie. When I asked the Director what was he up to?

 

He replied that Phoolan Devi faced ugly and inhumane incidents in her life, and he wanted to show things in the same spirit in Bandit Queen. He said people should feel the pinch, not the tickling on watching this movie. I took some time to accept the idea, and said Yes to him later, with a contention to get the complete nude scene done by a body double, not me. 

 

 

How did you prepare for this role?

 

It was very tough. The real Phoolan Devi was in jail those days. I could not meet her. So I read and read about her and made her biography based on that literature for my convenience. I collected her photographs and studied them psychologically to imagine what kind of mental makeup she had at different times.

 

As an actor, I always try to convey the inner self and the mannerisms of the character I am playing. Physical appearance is a separate thing, but I wanted to play the role, of internalizing her psychology in a real sense.

 

How did you feel when you played this role?

 

It was painful and I used to get disturbed during the shoots. It was emotionally traumatic to play all those scenes that Phoolan Devi went through in her life. But the team was very good, and sensitive, understood my mental condition and used to cooperate.  

 

When the complete nude scene was shot, I still remember, just 4-5 persons of the film unit were there. They also felt so bad about it. I wept with guilt inside. 

 

I personally tried to give respect to the body double because I thought if the movie turned out to be a hit, I would become popular and no one would know this woman. 

 

On the whole, it was a lifetime experience. I had to prove that there was not much difference between the real Phoolan and me. I opted to do some stunts on my own. I got injured also, but I continued. 

 

I did not drink water for days so that I could depict the thirst that Phoolan Devi experienced in real life.

 

 

How did your family react to this role?

 

I had not told my parents about this role before signing. I won't reveal till I complete the things. That element of doubt is always there whether it would be complete or what if I am ousted in between. My parents got to know from the newspapers about the controversial movie and my role. Many people wrote against me. My parents wanted me to counter, but I didn’t do as it would have further snowballed into controversy.

 

When I got the national award for this movie, all those who made nasty comments about me automatically got their reply.

 

 

Did you watch this movie with your family?

I never watch my performance or movies. But I did take the video cassette of the movie for my parents. I lay down in the same room with my eyes closed as they watched Bandit Queen. After they finished watching it, my father broke the silence, saying ‘itni brilliant performance toh meri beti hi dey sakti hai’ (Only my daughter can give such a brilliant performance). That was the biggest award for me.

 

 

What about your transition from theatre to films?

 

There are so many great theatre artists, who have not worked in films. They always give outstanding performances in their lifetime, but the recognition is limited. Cinema has a different reach. ‘Bandit Queen’ instantly gave me vast recognition and identity. Rest is all the same. I grew up in a small village in Assam, am from a humble background and I studied sitting on the floor in schools without a roof. I always look back and realize where I started and where I have reached. Yet it’s not about the success and satisfaction, it is about the range I am living with, which I value more than name, fame, work and money.

 

 

How about your journey after ‘Bandit Queen’?

 

I have done around 60 films. I always tried to do good. When I was offered Khamoshi for the role of a mother, everyone told me to refuse it as I would then be slotted as a mother. ‘Bandit Queen’ had not been released by then. I thought I was popular before the release of the film because of controversy, not my work. So I did ‘Khamoshi’. I was slotted as a mother for quite a long time. I didn’t work for almost three years and was in a financial crisis.  I don’t ask for roles myself. Whosoever approaches me, I consider that. I have done several low-budget movies. Even otherwise I always think that as an actor Bandit Queen was my first and last film, whatever more I am getting is all a bonus. I am always thankful to God and Shekhar Gupta for that. I am a simple village girl. I have never been ambitious. My motto is to do every work with commitment and life goes on.

 

 

What do you feel about the younger generation in Bollywood?

 

The young artists are very health conscious, want to have great looks, they are disciplined and work hard. Yet I feel that they need to go into the depth of the character and work more on the mental make-up. I am happy to share that many youngsters call me and ask me to correct where they are supposed to act through video calls. Earlier there was a culture of collective discussion in the films, where all the members associated with the film used to sit together and discuss during shooting and otherwise. That used to improve many things as the film shooting proceeded. Now we just have individual interaction with the Director or others.  

 

 

What about the present-day films?

 

I think Covid changed the viewpoint of people in films. During the lockdown, people had time to watch films from across the world on different themes, especially the day-to-day struggle of ordinary people, which they could relate to, when everyone, rich and poor, was facing the same trauma. So this era belongs to the films on real-life stories and day-to-day struggles now. Bandit Queen was certainly ahead of time, I would say.

 

What next in films?

 

I have already done a bold role in ‘Bandit Queen’. I want to do a role, which I can’t believe that I can do.