“It Was Not Easy At All To Make A Film On India’s First Ever Doctor To Learn Medicine” Akash Chawla

In this interview, Akash Chawla who was with Zee Studios earlier tells JYOTHI VENKATESH at the pre release party of Anandi Gopal at The Orchid why he decided to make a Marathi film on the first female doctor from India to go abroad to learn medicine 122 years ago- Anandi Gopal.

What is your film Anandi Gopal all about?

The film is a biography based on the life of Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi, who was the first lady doctor from India. Anandi Joshi, who stood against all the odds to get educated and became a doctor, set an example and inspired generations to come. In times, when gender equality and feminism are raised at almost every forum and podium, a couple in the 1800s practiced and fought for these very ideas. Anandi Gopal is a love story more than a biopic, about the struggle of a husband to teach his wife and her response and determination to become the first Indian female doctor. It is in the fitness of things that it has been made in the 150^th birth anniversary of the lady

You turned an independent producer with the Marathi film Anandi Gopal after working with an actor like Aamir Khan in a film like Secret Superstar!

My association with Aamir Khan when I was with Zee Studios has given me a whole different perspective in terms of telling a story. I launched my production house Fresh Lime Films, with the idea of picking up new subjects. To begin with I launched the web series Karanjeet Kaur for Zee 5.

Why did you set out to produce a film in Marathi called Anandi Gopal?

I decided to make a film in Marathi on Anandibai because Anandibai is a text book. No one has given to the worlds the perspective of Anandi and Gopal. Anandibai was the first woman in India to go abroad to learn medicine and become a doctor but unfortunately she contracted a disease and did not practice whereas Rukmabai was the first practicing doctor from India.

Isn’t Anandi Gopal a film on girl child education and empowerment?

We often talk a lot about educating the girl child in India and women empowerment but Anandi was the first every living example 122 years ago in India. Anandi’s husband Gopal sold his jewels to send Anandi abroad. The film is about her journey which not many know

Why did you sign Sameer Vidwans to direct Anandi Gopal?

I signed Sameer Vidwans to direct Anandi Gopal , because I was impressed by his Double Seat and knew that he has the capability to play with relationship very well. The director and I were on the same page and did not want to make a biopic. The casting for the film was very tough. I cast Lalit Prabhakar in the role of Gopal and readily Lalit shave off his head too to suit his part.

You did not set out to make your film with stars though with the influence that you wielded at Zee Studios where you had worked earlier, you could have used your clout to get stars!

I am of the opinion that filmmaking is not just about casting stars, whether one is making a film in Hindi, Bengali or for that matter Marathi. I can cite the examples of films like Uri and Badhai Ho, which had done fantastic business. If you have the confidence you should cast an actor who fits beautifully with his or her part. More than Lalit it was quite tough to cast the right actress in the role of Anandi because they needed a fresh actress who could delicate herself to the part.

Bhagyaashree who plays the role of Anandi is not new to Marathi films. Why did you zero in on her?

Bhagyashree who we cast in the role of Anandi had earlier acted in a couple of films in cameo roles. We decided to audition her many times for the role. She was patient and willing to wait for her time

In how many days did you complete then shooting of Anandi Gopal?

Anandi Gopal involved a lot of heavy research and hence it took us almost two years to complete the film right from its conception to shooting it on locations where hitherto no shooting had taken place for almost 62 days and hence we stayed correct to the budget. After we recorded two songs, we even scrapped them because we felt they were not wanted. Right from the beginning Zee had come on board as producers.

You are also making a film on the legendary football coach Syed Abdul Rehman. Tell me more about the project?

After Anandi Gopal, with Zee Studio, Boney Kapoor and Joy Sengupta as partners, I am all set to come up with my next project which will be a biopic on the legendary football coach Syed Abdul Rahim. His team had heroes like Chunni Goswami, P.K. Banerjee, Balaram, Franco and Arun Ghosh. Syed Abdul Rahim was Indian football team’s coach and manager between 1950 and 1963. Regarded as the architect of modern Indian football, Syed, led the Indian team when it entered the semi-finals of the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Football - first ever Asian country to do so. Syed also led the Indian team to win gold at the 1962 Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia. India beat the tough South Korea team to win the gold that year.

Who have you zeroed in to play the coach?

The part will be essayed by none other than Ajay Devgn and the film will be helmed by none other than Amit Sharma who had directed the super hit Badhai Ho. Ajay Devgn was the first and the only actor who was our choice. It was when he was shooting for Raid that we narrated to Ajay the script and right from then he has been totally supportive of the subject. Laxman Utekar is the D.O.P

What next, after Anandi Gopal?

We are planning to make a lot o web series in Marathi as well as Hindi and also a film in Hindi with new comers as well as new writing talent

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