“If you create something original with authenticity and honesty, it stands its ground” says Kuush Sinha opening up about his film Nikita Roy

Sameena Razzaq

Kuush Sinha, son of legendary actor Shatrughan Sinha has made an impactful debut as a director with the supernatural thriller Nikita Roy that released in theatres alongside the smash hit Saiyaara and Tanvi the Great. Though the film did not make noise as far as promotions and marketing are concerned, yet it managed to impress the audiences and critics alike who saw substance in its narrative. BombayBulletin caught up with the debutant director after the release of the film. In a free-wheeling conversation, Kuush sheds light on helming the project, casting stalwarts, critical acclaim and more.

Excerpts

Congratulations, on a successful debut. Nikita Roy manages to keep people on the edge. Has the debutant nervousness evaporated now and you feel the decision to go behind the camera was absolutely right?

“Yes, the decision to go behind the camera was absolutely right. That’s something I have been working towards for a good amount of time. I knew what we have made as a story and that it would be appreciated. Commercially, nobody knows how their film will do, before it releases. So, I wasn’t too nervous that way but I would like to say I am glad we are coming out. We would like to show our work to people and also like to hear back from them with their honest feedback.”

Talking about the feedback, people have loved your film, critics have acclaimed it, which is kind of rare for a debutant?

“I am very grateful for that. With all due respect to people who have a counter view, I know they will try to put me into the Nepo bracket. But the reality is – I am just somebody who wanted to do something and worked my way towards it.  We put in our hardwork, hoping to make a good and engaging film that the audiences will like and thankfully even the critics have been very honest with their feedback. A majority of them have liked the film but there are some who might have other interests in mind. I would say they have been very strange with their comments but I think that is part and parcel of the process.” 

The story is born out of your deep interest in Psychology and the idea to confront one’s darkness both metaphorical and literal. So, what personal darkness did you manage to confront through this journey?

“Our biggest strength and weakness will probably be our ability to focus too much on a particular moment or part of the process which can be confusing to people who might not understand the nature of our job. I don’t think there is anything else, I can come up with as of now. I am very professional. I go on the set on time, I prep, I do my work. Look, I will say this very frankly that I am extremely respectful of the fact that I got to direct a film with this sort of story. I think even today there will be a lot of people who would want to direct a film and get their stories out on the screen. So, that’s why we have to keep a positive mindset. I don’t think you can have darkness when you get an opportunity like this.”

You have a very pleasant face. Did it ever occur to you that perhaps acting could have been a great career or maybe you could do both acting and directing?

“That’s very kind of you. I don’t know why people would think that way. I have been alive before this also. It doesn’t have to occur to me as I am very happy directing. I studied acting because my dad told me, if you need to direct actors, you will have to understand how to act. I think the complaint actors often have is – new directors don’t know how to explain things appropriately to them, when they are doing a scene. So, I do know how to act but my focus is on telling good stories. I don’t know what the future holds. I don’t think acting just happens because one wants to act. It has to be a two-way pull.”

Nikita Roy wasn’t heavily promoted like Saiyaara, yet it managed to stand its ground. Not promoting a film is a risk which may have negative consequences. As a debutant why would you take such a risk. Why wasn’t the movie promoted enough?

“I don’t think that was entirely in my hand. And to be fair to the producers, sometimes unforeseen circumstances happen. Certain issues came in the way which is what led to what you said. Yes, I may have felt that we could have or should have pushed more. But again, it wasn’t in my hands. The film was critically acclaimed. So, I feel if you create something original with authenticity and honesty it stands its ground. I have a feeling that once Nikita Roy’s theatrical run is over and it appears on a platform, I am very sure people will understand it better and appreciate it.”

In one of your interviews, you had mentioned Sonakshi has been under-utilised in some of her films. Do you feel Nikita Roy brings her full potential to the screen and as her director were you able to push her enough?

“100 percent, I was able to push her enough. Some of the reviewers have even said, this is possibly one of her finest performance, if not her best so far. I do believe that Dahaad, Heeramandi, Lootera, and Akira have been Sonakshi’s finest performances. But for people to include Nikita Roy in that list, I must say I am glad. As a brother, I did want to do justice to her because she liked the story very much. She is a huge star and was working with a new director So, I wanted to ensure I give her a role that will draw people’s praise. It wasn’t just me alone, she also contributed immensely to the character. The fact that she was willing to go the distance for Nikita Roy I think that’s why people really appreciate her work in the film.”

You never really had anybody else in mind apart from Sonakshi for this role?

“Frankly, I didn’t. I needed someone who can manage these layers with authenticity that’s why I took Sonakshi. The level of honesty she has brought to this character it feels Nikita Roy is a real person. I think this happened because Sonakshi could bring that vulnerability, honesty, and emotional range to the film. I just go by my instincts. I think one good thing, if you have been to an acting class is you kind of figure very quickly who might be able to do what you need from them.”

Were you able to convince Paresh ji and Arjun to come on board easily because you come from a film Family?

“Not all people from Film Families are making good content right. Not everybody from a film family is a good actor or not everybody from a film family will make a good film either. I think when you meet an actor, they are also evaluating you by looking at factors like does your story have strength, do you have the capability to pull it off and will you be able to give them something of value that does justice to their talent. In that context, our story was always good. Paresh ji agreed in two meetings which I think is very rare. May be he is that type of an instinctive actor who understands things rather quickly. I think all of these stalwarts said yes because they saw merit in the story. They saw something which was of value and did justice to their talent.”

Shatru Saab attended the premiere of your movie. What was his reaction on your potential as a director?

“He has done almost 300+ films in his career. He really liked Nikita Roy and that gave me a lot of confidence. He said it’s a very good film and nobody can predict the fate of any film so you should be satisfied you made a good film. He also told me, it’s not like you made a film just for the sake of it because it was a hobby. This is a well-made film. I can say he was happy with it. Even Paresh ji messaged me saying it’s a good film. Small gestures by legends like these, really make a difference to people like us.”

We live in a country where people are still blinded by superstition. It’s very hard to break that cycle. Why would you choose such a challenging subject to make your debut?

“I don’t know whether it was challenging. I think my dad had said a line – ‘either we are better than the rest or different from the rest’. I didn’t ever see it as a challenging subject, I just saw it as a good story. The mix of mystery with supernatural elements appealed to me. I think it appealed to the viewers also. I understand emotions well because I understand psychology and this film has lot of layers to it. My intention is not to preach people because I don’t think people like being forced to get a message. I think a film should entertain and if you can put a message that people will take and it affects them positively, it’s great.”