“Shanti Priya will do proper justice to her character in the biopic of Sarojini Naidu”: Writer Dhiraj Mishra

In this exclusive chat with JYOTHI VENKATESH, writer Dhiraj Mishra tells what made him and director Vinay Chandra cast an actress like Shanti Priya now in the biopic of Sarojini Naidu being directed by Vinay Chandra.

Why did you choose Alingan as your directorial debut?

There are some stories which touch your soul. Alingan is one of those story which can do justice with my directorial skills.

Why did Alingan not have any big shot name?

Some stories have the freshness and the newcomers have the talent to bring it on the screen.

Dipika Chikkhalia had acted in your films Galib and Deendayal Ek Yugpurush. Why is she not a part of Sarojini Naidu?

Dipika is a wonderful actress. She could not be a part of my film Sarojini Naidu because I wanted to make the biopic in not just Hindi but four different Indian languages and hence she could not be a part of the film.

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Any memorable moments from the shooting, which you would like to share?

There are so many, some are terrific though. While shooting in the snow-cladded  Bhadarwah, Tushar Purvar had got frost bite. Everyone got scared, but the locales had helped a lot.

Why is your wife your co-writer in all your films?

I always keep on travelling. I share my experiences with my wife and most of the times I get the story ready and there is no problem while writing the screenplay, because my wife undertakes to do the research.

If you have to choose one out of Jai Jawan Jai Kisan or Chapekar Brothers which one is close to your heart?

It is always the first which is close to heart. Jai Jawan Jai Kisan will always be close to my heart. In that I had worked with legendary Om Puri Sahab and I am proud of it.

You are now all set to make the biopic on Sarojini Naidu called Sarojini with Shanti Priya. What made you decide to cast Shanti Priya?

Earlier too as a writer, I have worked with several actors who have staged their comeback after a long period of having left acting in films. I feel that by itself is a great advantage since the audiences do not at all have any hesitation to accept them wholeheartedly in the roles in which they are cast . I decided to cast Shantiji in the role of Sarojini Naidu because besides the fact that Shantiji is a damn good actress, she is also a South Indian by birth and I am very confident that she would be able to do proper justice to her character in the biopic. I am making the biopic in four different languages- Hindi, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu. I will be making the film in 45 days.

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Actresses like Dipika Chikhalia, Anita Raj, Rati Agnihotri etc had staged their comeback in films directed by you. The latest to do so is Shanti Priya. Who among these has impressed you the most with her latent talent?

Each and every actor or actress has his or her own individual exclusive expertise and innate ability to emote and each had done 100 per cent justice to her characterization earlier.

Will you continue with the tradition of making biopics in future too?

Bio-pics have always attracted me  and I began my career too by making a biopic. I cannot detach myself by running away from biopics. In future too, I am planning to make engrossing biopics which will be able to stand the test of time.

You have dabbled with not only writing but also direction. Would you like to continue to direct films in future too?

One hundred percent. If I feel that I have a story in my hands which requires me to direct it, I will not  hesitate to direct it too.