Nandita
Das
says
she
enjoys
both
acting
and
direction,
but
being
behind
the
camera
gives
her
more
creative
fulfilment.
The
actor-filmmaker
says
direction
helps
her
in
highlighting
her
concerns
and
starting
conversations
on
various
socio-political
issues.
"It
(acting)
is
less
demanding
than
direction.
But
while
direction
is
far
more
time
consuming
and
challenging,
it
is
also
more
fulfilling,
both
creatively
and
emotionally.
But
each
has
its
merit
and
I
feel
no
reason
to
choose
as
I
would
like
to
do
both," Nandita
told
PTI
in
an
interview.
The
critically-acclaimed
director,
who
has
helmed
films
like
Firaaq
and
Manto,
said
one
should
not
be
afraid
to
tell
the
stories
they
believe
in.
"For
me,
art
remains
a
means
to
an
end.
I
am
more
of
a
journey-person,
so
I
don't
feel
the
pressure
of
reaching
anywhere
in
particular.
That
comes
with
the
benefit
of
not
being
afraid
of
failure,
at
least
in
the
conventional
sense
of
the
word.
"If
you
have
strong
convictions
and
courage
things
automatically
follow.
When
I
did
'Fire',
I
didn't
know
if
I'd
have
a
second
film
as
an
actor.
Similarly,
when
I
did
'Firaaq',
I
didn't
know
I
will
direct
a
film,"
she
said.
Nandita
will
be
seen
in
the
new
version
of
"Albert
Pinto
Ko
Gussa
Kyoon
Aata
Hai?",
directed
by
Soumitra
Ranade.
She
describes
it
as
a
"conceptual"
remake
as
the
makers
have
only
taken
the
seed
of
the
idea.
"The
film
is
entirely
Soumitra's
take
on
how
he
sees
the
country
today
and
the
angst
of
the
youth.
I
did
it
for
nostalgia,
as
the
original
was
an
iconic
film.
It's
our
tribute
to
it
and
I
equally
did
it
for
Soumitra,
who
has
been
a
friend
for
over
a
decade."
When
Nandita
first
saw
the
1980
cult
classic
she
said
she
could
relate
to
the
angst
of
the
protagonist,
which
was
played
by
Naseeruddin
Shah.
According
to
her,
the
film
deals
with
the
pain
of
Albert,
who
probably
represents
many
in
the
society.
Asked
about
the
relevance
of
the
new
film,
Nandita
said
the
issues
of
common
man
from
poverty
to
unemployment
still
exist.
"The
earlier
'Albert
Pinto...' was
made
during
a
critical
time
in
our
history.
It
was
the
post-Emergency
era.
The
Jayaprakash
Narayan
movement
had
failed
to
provide
a
stable
government
at
the
centre.
We
were
at
crossroads.
"Today,
we
are
in
a
similar
predicament,
where
politics
and
conversations,
have
all
become
so
polarised.
Divisive
forces
are
distracting
us
from
the
real
problems
of
unemployment,
poverty
and
inequity.
There
is
anger
simmering
among
the
youth,
the
farmers,
the
marginalised,
and
that
is
the
political
undertone
that
the
film
has," she
said.
Nandita
believes,
today
there
is
no
dearth
of
issues
that
can
make
one
angry
but
one
should
find
ways
to
make
the
world
a
compassionate
place.
"I
feel
sad
that
we
have
normalised
blatant
inequality
and
inequity
and
the
divisive
powers
are
further
polarising
us
in
the
name
of
nationality,
religion,
caste,
class,
gender,
sexual
preference
and
more.
"To
find
productive
ways
is
a
conscious
choice
if
we
want
a
more
just
and
compassionate
world.
'Albert...'
is
a
step
in
that
direction.
I
think
the
audience
will
connect
with
his
anger
and
it
will
trigger
a
deeper
reflection
on
their
own
angst
and
their
will
to
change
things
for
the
better."
The
film
releases
on
April
12.