National Award-winner Anand Ekarshi: It is unfortunate that ‘Aattam’ has become relevant now in today’s climate

The elation is evident in film director Anand Ekarshi’s voice as he talks about the three National Awards bagged by his debut feature film, Aattam — Best Film, Screenplay and Editing.

The elation is evident in film director Anand Ekarshi’s voice as he talks about the three National Awards bagged by his debut feature film, Aattam — Best Film, Screenplay and Editing.

Made with a tight budget and a cast comprising mainly newcomers, the film, written and directed by Anand, unfolds in a drama troupe when the only woman actor in the group accuses one of the men in the group of sexual harassment. With deft camera work, nifty editing and superb lines, Anand peels off the masks of each of the men to reveal their true colours.

The award comes at a time when women all over India are on the streets, battling for safe work spaces in the wake of another horrific rape, this time of a doctor in Kolkata who was raped and murdered on the hospital premises.

Speaking to The Hindu, soon after the announcement, Anand says he is “overwhelmed by the awards.”

Edited excerpts from an interview:

People have been asking me about the relevance of the movie getting this award, and the crimes that are happening against women all over the country right now; it is unfortunate that the movie has become relevant. I wish there comes a time when it not relevant any more, when such crimes don’t occur. It is wishful thinking, but it is extremely disturbing to hear this kind of news every day. I cannot claim that my movie is big enough to talk about its causes, but if it can create a dialogue on such issues, I would be happy because that is our intention; to evoke a dialogue on such issues and the many aspects of molestation and sexual harassment.

I have a lot of female friends and cousins in my life.  My mother is right there too. This (molestation) is one thing I have been hearing directly or indirectly from them. I have read quite a bit about it as well. My goal was to talk about the myriad aspects of such a crime; to talk about the aspects that are not much discussed, in a way that is not preachy or condescending or involves any sloganeering.