Sujoy Ghosh has won the National Award – Best Screenplay Writer (Original) for Kahaani. Post the announcement, the first decision that Sujoy has taken is to revisit the script of Kahaani 2, which is expected to go on floors this Summer.
Admits Sujoy, “The problem with such huge awards is that they make you responsible. When people are investing so much love and respect in you, you can’t take it lightly. You need to stop and work harder to get the script absolutely right. All this while I was happy with the way Kahaani 2 was progressing. However I am taking a pause now and re-looking at it. I don’t intend to leave anything lesser from my side at the least.”
As for the win at the highest pedestal, he is happier for a reason which is more generic than personal.
“Kahaani was a completely in-house film and that’s what makes the win special. It was shot entirely in Kolkota which demonstrates that if you want, you can do anything from anywhere. That’s what makes me very happy and a lot more confident. Tomorrow, if my script demands, I can make a film entirely out of Chennai. Talent in India is so awesome and you should not restrict yourself just to Mumbai in order to cater to pan-country audience”, says Sujoy.
He is keeping mum on the shooting location for Kahaani 2 though.
“As of now I am soaking in all the congratulatory messages that are coming in. My family is over the moon. My friend Vishal (Dadlani) is elated. These are the people who stood by me in my most needed days. That makes the film a lot more special. What matters is that people outside my personal life have accorded this award to me. Otherwise I could have gone on and on saying that my work is good, till the cows come home. But that doesn’t matter, right”, smiles Sujoy before signing off.
Joginder Tuteja tweets @tutejajoginder