Trouble around <i>Sacred Evil</i> woman oriented

Courtesy: IndiaFM

Monday, June 05, 2006

Ipsita Roy Chakravarti who penned her book Sacred Evil says that the controversy is women oriented. The book has now been made into a movie by the same name. Backed by none other than Sahara Motion Pictures, the film with it's out of the box story just might do the trick at the box-office. Here a chat with Ipsita.

We all know that Sacred Evil has been embroiled in a major controversy. It's based on a true life incident. What was your experience?
Yes, the book is based on a real life incident. This particular episode on which the film is based is the signature story. It happened to me in the late 80s. I am a psycho therapist. I was in Calcutta at that point of time. A Mother Superior called me and said that she wanted me to heal a nun. Me being a Wicca, I asked her that wasn't it against her principals. I deal with behavioral problems. The young nun was suffering. I was told that no drugs were to be given. A Wicca was to treat her. Her spirit was suffering. I had healing sessions with her.

Recently, even The Da Vinci Code was in trouble due to religious reasons. Do you think that controversy lead to the problems surrounding Sacred Evil.

I don't think it's in trouble because of religious reasons. More so, its being attacked because it's a woman oriented film. For centuries, women have been oppressed. And Wiccan gives power to women. And people can't be tolerated. It's a gender war. Wiccan is the first feminist movement. Society can't see power given to women. It's an attack against the women's cause.

What are your feelings now that the film has been cleared for release?
Well, it is a triumph for us. For centuries women were oppressed. Wiccas were burned at the stake. In fact, I also had this experience. I was stoned when I went to the interiors of India. Earlier there were witch hunts. Today there are petitions!

Apart from Sarika, there are no known actors in the film. Do you think it will harm it's prospects? Not at all! It is an excellent film. The theme is universal. It's an attempt to probe the mind. It's not a solitary case.

What is your comment on the directors of the film Abhigyan Jha and Abhiyaan Rajhans?
It was a very challenging theme. So far, whenever the supernatural was depicted on Indian screens, it was much exaggerated. Actually, the supernatural is felt in a very subtle manner. The way it has been presented in the film is very subtle. It's like a breeze and not like a storm! Also, the film has a commercial format. It will appear to the audience. In the west, films like The Others and The Sixth Sense, were classified as commercial flicks. So now doubt, even Sacred Evil will be accepted as a commercial film.

Can you throw some light on the Wiccan healing processes?
We have shown actual ceremonies in the film. Earlier, any esoteric ritual was shown as being involved with skulls! But that's not the case. In this film, it is portrayed as a beautiful and aesthetic ritual. These rituals appeal to the patients mind and spirit. We have used authentic Wiccan objects.

Do you think the movie has done justice to the book?
Yes I think so. Although, in order to protect the identity of the nun, we made a few changes in the climax.

On a parting note, what do you think will draw the audience to watch this film?
I think Ipshita Roy Chakravarti will do that! There was a strange force throughout the making of the film. Mr. Subroto Roy had read this book and expressed the desire to make it into a film. I feel it was just meant to happen. The film has a strange life of its own. And the fact that it has been cleared just proves that point.