"I relish capturing life's nuances in my films" - Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury on 'Kadak Singh'

After giving the critically acclaimed box office success, Pink, director Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury was rather absent from the feature film space for almost seven years. Little did we know that 2023 was going to be a double comeback for the director. Back in February, the director presented the Yami Gautam-led film Lost, and now, only a few days ago, he had another release in the form of Kadak Singh on Zee5 that stars Pankaj Tripathi and Sanjana Sanghi in lead roles.

In an exclusive conversation with us, the director man talked about his love affair with Kolkata and how he would define the genre of the film nd approach the several elements in one story.

You have a love affair with Kolkata. Lost was based in Kolkata, and so is Kadak Singh. Can you tell us how important as a role this place and city are in the film?

That's the challenge! In love affairs, the city and its people are inseparable. Our affection is directed at a city. Initially, we planned to shoot in Delhi, but I wasn't satisfied with the scouted locations. These elements are pivotal for a film. After discussing it with my Director of Photography, we gradually explored Kolkata. In all my films, the city or environment becomes the third character, playing a vital role. Filming in Kolkata brings me joy; I know the city well, and its people and it seamlessly fits the narrative. Kolkata boasts responsible citizens, including a significant South Indian population working in hospitals, inspiring the creation of Miss Kannan's character. Progressive Bengali girls contribute to empowering the relationship between Naina (played by Jaya) and Kadak Singh (brilliantly portrayed by Pankaj). Kolkata's essence enriches the narrative, and my love affair with the city is everlasting.

This film deals with many aspects of financial crime. A single father, his interpersonal relations with his kids, his colleague, his girlfriend, and a nurse. How did you define the genre of the film, and how did you approach blending all these elements in one story?

A film mirrors life and encapsulates all its experiences, be it in music or playing a sitar; everything manifests in your art. Life, an ongoing encounter of thrills, tears, and joy, with the intricate layers within relationships like father-daughter and mother-son, serves as inspiration for my storytelling. I relish capturing life's nuances in my films. In narrating a story, I seamlessly blend a financial crime thriller backdrop with a man's commitment. This individual navigates not only the black and white but also the grey areas. Entangled with three women—a daughter, a girlfriend, and a nurse—life's complexities mirror our roles as a husband, lover, father, and son amidst numerous impactful relationships.

Kadak Singh began streaming on Zee5 from 8th December 2023 onwards.