Filmmaker Shekhar Kapur reunited with his ‘Bandit Queen’ actress Seema Biswas after many years at the 56th Indian International Film Festival in Goa.
Memories of ‘Bandit Queen’
Shekhar shared that he and the cast of “Bandit Queen” experienced a high level of intensity during the shoot of the 1994 film. Reflecting on their reunion, he expressed how meeting Seema after such a long time evoked memories from their time on set. He wrote on social media, “Bandit Queen. Probably the most intense film I ever made.. or will make. And the actors and I lived in the intensity of the film during the shoot (sic).”
Emotional Encounter
“It was so lovely to come across Seema Biswas after years at the Indian International Film Festival in Goa. And strange that the intensity of making that film still burns inside me. I can only imagine what Seema went through to portray that role with such amazing intensity!” the ‘Masoom’ director added.
Although the meeting stirred up traumatic memories for Shekhar, he mentioned that Seema helped him feel more at ease. “So being casual with Seema did not come easy. So Seema had to, as you can see from the picture, ease me out. I can still smell, feel, and often still be traumatised by the memories of making Bandit Queen,” he wrote.
Reflections on Filmmaking
When asked about making another film like ‘Bandit Queen’, Shekhar replied, “Never, I hope.” He elaborated, “Every film I make, I become each character myself. I become the story.. I become the landscape.. I become the film itself.”
He concluded his post by humorously questioning the ease of filmmaking, stating, “Well, whoever said filmmaking was an easy job.. maybe I should have stayed a Chartered Accountant?”