Yeh Saali Zindagi Is About Life’s Frustrations: Sudhir Mishra

Sudhir Mishra’s next film, Yeh Saali Zindagi, is all set to release on 4^th February. The director spoke to Koimoi.com about the genesis of the idea for the film, the strange title, and the reason why he keeps repeating Chitrangda Singh time and again.

Many of your films end on a sad note. Is the climax of ‘Yeh Saali Zindagi’ any different?
The title ‘Yeh Saali Zindagi’ does not just express frustration. When you see the end of the film, you will see that I meant it in a happy way.

Yet, the film is based on the complex relationships between your protagonists…
Yes, life is exasperating at times… it makes us go round and round in circles. Sometimes the way to happiness is a complicated road. In the beginning of the film Irrfan Khan’s character is hanging from the 24^th floor of a building with his boss threatening him to not leave his job. When Irrfan finally quits to go back to his wife, Chitrangda, she is in bed with another man! Therefore the title, ‘Yeh Saali Zindagi‘.

What genre does the film belong to? Is it a love story or a thriller?
Through a thriller, you will have a love story. Then there is another track of Arunoday Singh’s character and his wife.

How far do you dip into your personal life while writing your films?
All my films have some basis; they are inspired from what I have seen, what I have observed. You see, there are many moments when one is exasperated with life. At the age of 22, a girl refused my proposal. At that point I felt it was the end of the world. Now I think she saved my life! Life is like that.

You have finally got a film coming up, after the postponement of ‘Tera Kya Hoga Johny’?
It’s a relief that finally the film is releasing… Prakash Jha is supporting the film. My approach to life is that you have to take it on the chin. You can’t do anything more than your best. Beyond that you are not God. At one point you have to quit.

What’s your reaction to stories of your link up with Chitrangda Singh?
I am more amused by the story. The first time I heard I started laughing. But I was very irritated because of her. Whenever a woman starts doing well, because they can’t find anything, people start wagging their tongues.

Do you have a tendency of repeating your actors?
If I think the part works for someone I will definitely cast my actors again? Chitrangda plays real people with a lot of grace. In Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, she dated multiple people, but you never said ‘What a bitch’. There’s a lot of depth in her performance. When ever I have a part for her, I will continue going to her.