“Ibrahim has a lot to learn” says Kayoze Irani in a free-spirited conversation about his recently released film Sarzameen

Sameena Razzaq

The recent release, Sarzameen marked the directorial debut of Kayoze Irani, son of veteran actor and director Boman Irani. The film stars Ibrahim Ali Khan in the leading role along with seasoned performers like Privthviraj Sukumaran and Kajol. Though the film garnered mixed reactions, Ibrahim has managed to make a successful comeback on the screen with his nuanced antics. Opening up about the maturity we see in Ibrahim’s performance in his second outing, film’s director Kayoze Irani reveals, “I think Harman’s role was tailor-made for Ibrahim. The Zone and character suited him a lot more”. In a free-wheeling conversation, Irani talks about the film, the mixed reviews, road ahead for Ibrahim and more…Tune in

Fifteen years ago, you had gone to Mount Mary church with your producer Marijke D’souza and asked her whether you will make a film. Cut to today-that mannat is fulfilled. What was the moment like when you went back to the church to seek blessings for Sarzameen?

“It was the first time on this entire film journey that I actually had tears in my eyes. I remember that day so clearly. Fifteen years ago, when we went to Mount Mary church, I was a budding Filmmaker with all these ideas and dreams in my head and I asked Marijke how do I make a film and she said you will and I will bring you here. So, when it happened and we reached Mount Mary, I joined my hands together and prayed with her. Instantly, there was this sense of fulfilling a fifteen-year-old mannat and tears rolled down my eyes. I tried to control my emotions but then I felt why control it. When you fulfill something, it feels like such a tick mark and hats off to Marijke who stood by me through it all. I can’t thank her enough.”

From an actor in Student of the Year to director of Sarzameen, it has been an intriguing journey for you at Dharma. So, when you reflect back, what are the things or learnings you cherish the most?

“I never planned on being an actor. It is the magic of Karan Johar who knows how to bring things out. From my school days, I knew, I wanted to be a director. I saw a movie called Jurassic Park and was in complete awe of the man who could make his own world. I wanted to be like him. I did ad films and other things until I met Shakun Batra who was making a film then and wanted me to assist him. He got me to Dharma and that’s when I met Karan who asked me to do a role in Student of the Year. I was nervous and not sure if I wanted to do it. But I did it and it was a fantastic learning experience. The minute that was over my focus shifted back to directing. I have a very special bond with Dharma. It’s my home, my family and Karan is like a second father to me. He won’t like that I put him in father category but I am hugely thankful and loyal to him. I know how much and what he has done to make Sarzameen happen for me and my short film Ajeeb Daastaans also. I know how much Karan loves me and I love him too.”

Your father Boman Saab had a very successful directorial debut with Mehta Boys. And with Sarzameen, you did not disappoint either. This appears like a perfect case of son following his father’s footsteps. Did he influence you in any way with his inputs on the film?

“I narrated the film to him and he gave me his notes but not any specific notes. When I asked him for specific notes, he said to me, ‘I won’t give you that because it will be Boman Irani’s voice’. You got to find Kayoze Irani’s voice. We did the same on Mehta Boys too. I read the draft, saw the edit, and told him what needs to change through my inputs. We have a fantastic professional relationship that way. Of course, when I was directing him in Sarzameen, it was completely other ball game where he insisted on me calling him Boman sir. I have directed him in a few ads as well. There is a line in the film – ‘Ek beta banna apne baap jaisa chahta hai’ that is so true for me. But when I say, I want to be like him it doesn’t mean I want to follow in his footsteps with his success. It simply means I want to be like the gentleman and human being he is.”

Were you nervous directing a performer like him. Did he listen to you or he had his way around?

“I was so nervous, it’s like I was sweating before every shot. So, what I did was to talk it out before hand with him. He gave me his suggestions which I agreed on or disagreed. He actually allowed me to have my voice while directing him. We had kind of a very nice bond. It was fun day on shoot. He played a part which he would not ordinarily take up but I wanted him as a special appearance because he is my good luck charm. And I hope in the future also, he will be my good luck charm.”

I wonder what the conversation is like between two directors in the drawing room. Do you discuss films or its normal father-son banter?

“It’s a lot of father-son banter. We are like two friends talking. The living room of the Irani household is very noisy. There is the entire family with the extended family along with children, dogs and people of all ages sitting. The main conversation is always food. We discuss dinner while eating lunch and talk about breakfast when we are eating lunch. It’s a laugh riot. It is genuinely my happy safe space. In the old days, dad had a huge dvd collection. He loved to buy dvds. It was the time when dvd’s would come with the director’s commentary. We would watch it together and discuss movies. We would agree and disagree on movies. We both have a humongous passion for cinema.”

The militancy problem in Kashmir is over-explored. While handling such a delicate subject, how did you made sure the narrative was nuanced and empathic without compromising on creative liberty and also the portrayal was distinct from others?    

“If you noticed in the film, I have never mentioned any names or religion and that is by design because the story is about a family. The militancy and the Kashmir issue serve only as a backdrop. The film is about the internal conflict between a family. Therefore, I was very clear from the start that I want to be extremely sensitive about the issue. I even took the script to the Indian army and asked for their opinion and changes, if any. I also showed the film to them and got their approval. The film is about a family and that is the conflict.”

Kashmir is known for its scenic beauty yet Sarzameen was shot mostly indoors.  Wonder why weren’t the breathtaking outdoors utilized more?

“The script is about a family so, naturally as a director it felt that scenes should be interior. Let me put it this way – when we are on recce on a location and we feel the ceiling is beautiful lets shoot it low angle. But then it’s not meant to be a low angle shot. Similarly, this film is about a family and their conflict indoors. Having said that, yes we have action sequences that have been shot outdoors. But I agree with you may be next time, I will capture the beauty more.”

There is also a comparison with Dilip Saab’s Shakti. It also had father-son conflict. Subconsciously, did it inspire you to make Sarzameen?

“No it didn’t. When a few people read the script, they did tell me about Shakti. I personally had not seen that film. However, later I actually watched Shakti and realised the father-son initial conflict does exist there. But the fact that I am being compared to a Salim-Javed film makes me thrilled. People are even comparing my film to Mission Kashmir but it is not inspired by it. Sometimes, things happen coincidentally but Sarzameen wasn’t inspired in any way. These are very strong films and if you are putting me in that category, I will take it.”

Ibrahim Ali Khan has made a successful comeback through Sarzameen. We now see a very refined IAK on the screen compared to his last outing Nadaaniyan. How did you manage to bring so much maturity in Ibrahim’s performance?

“We shot Sarzameen before Nadaaniyan. Sarzameen was massively delayed because of injuries. Prithviraj sir and me were severely injured on the film. And we had to take a hault of about six months. I can’t speak for the other film because that is also our production. I think Harman’s role was tailor-made for Ibrahim. The Zone and character suited him a lot more which I realised in the six months of extensive workshops we did with him for the film. Ibrahim has a lot to learn. He has a long road ahead of him. If he keeps at it and his craft, he will do well. I cross my fingers and pray he does. He has received a lot of love for Sarzameen. But with every film, it will get tougher for him and for me also as we both are debutants. There is a lot at stake. I would be so grateful to get another film. You are always judged based on your last Friday so I am hoping for the best. How can I stop learning. Martin Scorsese says he still learns from young filmmakers and in the same breath I would also like to continue to learn. In the process, if I make some mistakes, I will try to improve my craft and take it forward.” 

Sarzameen has an ensemble cast. There is Kajol, Prithvi, and of course, Ibrahim. How would you describe the experience of working with this dream cast?

“It’s like I could not have asked for something better. With Prithvi sir and Kajol mam, I didn’t have to do anything as they are veterans. Both are fantastic actors. They brought so much more to the table than I could have ever imagined. I had to sit back and just enjoy the experience. There are so many compliments coming out about their performance in the film and I am happy that I got the opportunity to work with them. They have not just come on the set, done their job and gone home. Prithvi sir used to sit with me after he got packed up. He gave me suggestions and helped me with the action sequences because he is a great action director. It was an absolute dream genuinely and I would be lucky if they agree to work with me again.”

Fans loved Sarzameen but there have been mixed reviews from some critics. As a debutant, how do you analyze all this feedback?

“I would be extremely silly to ignore what the critics have to say and only listen to the opinions of the fans. The thing is we make films for the audiences but if the critics have something to say and if they have a fair point, I will take it in. I only want to learn and will try to please them in the next outing.”

Do actors make good directors?

“Well, there are two people in my film – Boman Irani and Privthiviraj Sukumaran who are fantastic directors as well as actors. It’s not a blanket rule but actors are on set every day and they see the process of filmmaking very closely. A director is the only person who does not have a defined job while everyone else on the set has a defined job be it production designer or actors. But a director is the one who steers the ship and brings it all together. I think the fact that I was an actor allowed me to learn so much and I applied that a lot when it came to Ibrahim because I knew what he was going through while facing the camera for the first time. I think cinematographers also make great directors so would love to learn a little more on cinematography. The more you learn the better you will be.”