Anusha Rizvi reveals reasons behind her 15-year directorial break
What's the story
Filmmaker Anusha Rizvi, who is known for her debut Peepli Live, recently returned to the director's chair with The Great Shamsuddin Family. In a recent interview with Bollywood Hungama, she opened up about the long gap between her two projects and what inspired her latest film. "It took me a while for some very good reason and some not so good ones," she said.
Delay reasons
Rizvi's personal life and projects delayed her return
Rizvi, who has a seven-year-old son, said that parenting took a lot of her time. "Kids require time and attention, and it's such a joy being around him that sometimes work takes a backseat," she said. "I have been working on several projects, which are in different stages of development, and have been put on hold." "A documentary I was working on for two years on...Sidhu Moosewala is on hold due to the changing and complex nature of the story."
Film's origin
'The Great Shamsuddin Family' was written 8 years ago
Rizvi revealed that the story for The Great Shamsuddin Family was written about eight years ago. "It began with an observation that women professionals working out of homes have a widely different experience than their male counterparts," she said. "As I started to develop the protagonist Bani's character, her life, other characters started getting added and it became The Great Shamsuddin Family." The film features Kritika Kamra, Farida Jalal, and Purab Kohli in key roles.
Film insights
Rizvi's observational approach and casting process for 'TGSF'
Rizvi said that her own experiences and observations influenced the film. She also spoke about the casting process, crediting Dilip Shankar for it. "I conduct a lot of auditions and selections were done on the basis of merit," she said. Revealing her future plans, she said, "I am working on another story, and writing it in the hope that I will find money to make it. Regular life for pretty much all independent filmmakers."