Here is a recent interview of the brilliant Naseeruddin Shah who has won accolades for his heart-breaking performance as a Parsi father, in Rahul Dholakia’s film Parzania.
Tell us something about the movie Parzania.
Parzania is based on a true story, a true incident that occurred in the year of the
riots in Godhra, five years ago. It concerns a Parsi family that lives there in a Muslim territory. Parsi names and Muslim names happen to be very similar to each other. So obviously the small boy in the family was mistaken for a Muslim by a rampaging mob, as a result of which he disappeared. Nobody knows what happened to him. But it is assumed that he must be dead by now, because it has been five years and the child has not reappeared. The parents, however, are still in Ahmedabad and have moved their house, are determined that the child is alive. It is very sad and very poignant, but what can you say about a mother and a father and their feelings for the child? They refuse to believe that the child is not alive and they keep hoping that someday the child will return. So I think the movie is a very touching story and it also says a lot about how innocent people often suffer when a configuration such as the Godhra riots occur.
Is there any specific message that is put across through the movie?
Parzania is a plea for peace and understanding. The film is not intended to break up old wounds or to create a controversy of any kind. It does not make any allegations; it does not point fingers at anyone. It simply states the facts while stating the story of this Parsi family.
Tell us about your meeting with Dara Modi’s family.
I met them for the first time yesterday (18th January 2007). I did not meet them before the shooting of the film. The purpose of this film was not to portray the life of that particular family, or to do an impersonation of any member of that family, that was not the purpose. The fact that we are Parsis does not reflect in our performances at all. We have not played our characters like Parsis at all, with the typical Parsi dialect or anything like that, because that was not important in this film. What is important is the message. So I met the family for the first time yesterday in Ahmedabad, it was a touching experience.
You have worked with your co-star Sarika earlier. How was it working with her in this film?
Sarika has grown greatly as an actress and is a thorough professional. Whatever has happened in her life of course is very unfortunate. But I think one must always look at the positive side in whatever happens, and I think that her independence may just be a good thing for her, as she will be able to discover herself as an actress.
And how was it working with Rahul Dholakia?
Rahul had a very small budget. But he was very sure about why he wanted to make this film. I must say that he managed as producer and director both extremely well, and it was difficult to shoot in many ways. He also had to keep the riots in mind, with all the sensitivities of the situation. But I think he managed very well, he did a very good job. And I would give him very high marks as a director.
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