Fifteen years after her acclaimed debut Peepli Live, writer-director Anusha Rizvi has made a powerful return to filmmaking. Her new project, 'The Great Indian Shamsuddin Family', is currently streaming on Jio Hotstar and is winning praise for its authentic and humorous depiction of a Muslim family in contemporary Delhi.
A Slice of Life Centered on Women
The film, set in Delhi, focuses on the lives of the educated and articulate women of the Shamsuddin household. The narrative revolves around Bani, who faces a tight deadline to submit a work project within 12 hours. However, her plans are consistently derailed by the unannounced arrivals and little emergencies of her family members, painting a relatable picture of daily life.
Rizvi describes the core ideas of both Peepli Live and her latest film as "humorous and warm." However, she emphasizes a deeper purpose. "But they (the movies) do tell stories of where we are, who we are and our present day, our contemporary times. I'm recording my contemporary times," Rizvi stated in an interview with PTI.
Striving for Authentic Portrayal
A significant driving force behind the film was Rizvi's desire to present a genuine portrayal of Muslim women, which she feels is often missing from Indian and Asian cinema. "The kind of clothes that we see them wearing or the kind of way they are talking or behaving, it (the portrayal) doesn't seem quite real. This (Shamsuddin Family) is how regular people are and this is what they look like," she explained.
She pointed out the cinematic tropes that lack authenticity, noting that women don't typically wear heavy jewellery in everyday life. Her goal was to stay true to the reality of a particular part of Delhi and its inhabitants.
The film has generated strong word-of-mouth on social media, with admirers including filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan. Audiences have praised Rizvi's sharp eye for detail in capturing the dynamics of a family of opinionated women while also subtly weaving in the daily fears experienced by a Muslim family in India.
The Long Road Back: Funding and Casting
The journey to this release was not easy. Rizvi revealed that it took her eight years to find the right producers for the story she wrote nearly a decade ago. She finally found support in Uday Shankar, Vice Chairperson of JioStar, and producers Alok Jain, Ajit Andhare, and Mahmood Farooqui.
Reflecting on whether the streaming era has made life easier for independent filmmakers, the 47-year-old former journalist was candid. "It will always be a struggle," she said, highlighting that finding the correct form of funding for an expensive medium remains a persistent challenge. "If I had a choice, I would have made it eight years ago," she added.
On a brighter note, Rizvi credited casting director Dilip Shankar for assembling a stellar and unique ensemble cast. The film features Kritika Kamra, Farida Jalal, Sheeba Chaddha, Dolly Ahluwalia, Juhi Babbar Soni, Shreya Dhanwanthary, Purab Kohli, and Natasha Rastogi in key roles. "The actors were just so fantastic... I got the actors that I really, really wanted. And that's why they fit so well," she remarked.
While Rizvi has a couple of her own ideas for future films, she is also open to directing stories penned by others. For now, 'The Great Indian Shamsuddin Family' stands as her long-awaited and warmly received return, capturing the nuances of contemporary Indian life with empathy and wit.
