HERALD CAFÉ: What brings you to Goa this time?
PAAKHI TYREWALA: I have a house in Varca which
needs to be done up. I was supposed to do it before
I started directing ‘Pahuna’. Also, both Abbas and I
needed to get away for a bit. We haven’t travelled
together for a long time. Goa is our favorite
destination. We stayed at Olaulim Backyards, which is
my husband’s favourite place in Goa. What makes it
special is the people who own it.
HC: What went into writing the script for ‘Pahuna’?
PT: While writing ‘Pahuna’ I had to see the world
through the eyes of nine-year old. I had to find the
child in me. It is way more difficult than it sounds.
HC: Considering that you had written it 10 years ago,
did you have creative differences with yourself?
PT: That’s the best part of writing with oneself – no
conflict. Anyway, my mantra is, “writing is rewriting”.
So it was an organic process of building on what is
already written.
HC: Did Priyanka (Chopra) have any creative inputs
in the making of the film?
PT: Not really. I don’t think she needed to. That said,
she is very creatively hands-on, a very involved
producer; at the same time non-interfering, which is a
rare combination. We did work on the climax together
and must say it was a pleasant experience.
HC: What was the experience like at Toronto
International Film Festival 2017?
PT: It was extremely satisfying. I watched the film with
the audience. Every right reaction from the audience
filled my heart with pride and joy. My DoP was
complimented, my actors were complimented; the
music was appreciated. I felt so proud of my entire
team.
HC: What are the pros that outweighed the cons of
making the film in Nepali?
PT: I didn’t think of pros and cons. If I did, I probably
won’t have made the film. Sometimes one just has
to follow their passion or do the right thing, and not
overthink ourselves into inaction. In the end, it was a
risk worth taking.
HC: What has your journey of being a writer, and
then turning to direction, been like?
PT: It has been organic. I feel every department I
worked in (films) finally contributed towards me being
a director, and writing was no different.
HC: Would it be safe to true to say that you have
found your niche in films that have strong human
interest stories? Elaborate.
PT: I love telling stories. It could be about people, a
place or an event. To me, only telling a story is not
enough. How I tell it is also important.
HC: Do you see yourself trying your hand at ‘masala’
movies in future, or are you happy making less
commercially viable but more meaningful films?
PT: I want to make films of all genres before I die.
