Veteran actor Saurabh Shukla recently shared profound insights from his formative years in filmmaking, specifically his experience working on Shekhar Kapur’s 1994 film ‘Bandit Queen.’ Shukla, a respected figure in Indian cinema known for his diverse roles and writing, emphasized how Kapur taught him a crucial lesson: finding humor, even within the most somber narratives. ‘Bandit Queen,’ a biographical drama chronicling the life of Phoolan Devi, tackled a difficult subject matter. Despite the film’s intense and often grim tone, Shukla observed Kapur’s consistent effort to inject moments of levity and human observation. He recalled a specific scene, a robbery sequence, where amidst the panic, a villager’s request for a bottle of liquor from the fleeing dacoits highlighted a dark yet relatable human moment. This keen observation of finding the absurd in tragedy left a lasting impact on Shukla’s own creative approach, reinforcing his belief that humor is an essential element for a complete artistic vision. He also lauded Kapur’s innate understanding of dialogue rhythm, even when working with languages outside his immediate familiarity, showcasing an intuitive directorial style.
