Interview with ‘Chander Pahar’ director Kamaleswar Mukherjee.
By The American Bazaar Staff
NEW YORK: Award-winning director Kamaleswar Mukherjee has won acclaim for his many films but now tackles his most ambitious motion picture to date, bringing to screen an iconic adventure novel thought to be un-filmable, ‘Chander Pahar’ (‘Mountain of the Moon’), based on the novel by: Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay.
Already a critical and box office success in India, ‘Chander Pahar’ opens in theaters in the US with English subtitles on January 10, 2014. The film stars Bengali superstar Dev Adhikari in the lead role, along with actors Gerard Rudolf, Martin Cito Otto, Nabeel Khan, Paul Ditchfield, and David James.
‘Chander Pahar’ is the journey to the fabled, ‘Mountain Of The Moon’, in search of gold and diamond mines, up against threats as vivid and varied as lurking snakes, pouncing lions, poisonous flora, the fury of an active volcano and a seemingly, almost supernatural mythical horror ‘The Bunyip’ the guardian angel of the diamond cave.
However, it is also the story of grit and determination, a story of following one’s dream against all odds and emerging victorious, a story about a young lad called Shankar who, faced with the prospect of having to make a living as a factory worker in his impoverished village, bids farewell to his family in Keutia, rural Bengal, and through his aide Prasad Das Banopadhay, who happens to work for the Uganda railway head office, sets sail to the Dark Continent to work as the station master in Nakuru station, a dream come true for Shankar who has always envisioned himself as a expeditionary and holds interest in world geography and map reading.
It is at this Nakuru station, where Shankar is faced with the consequences of Africa, ranging from bloodthirsty lions and aggressive Black Mambas. Shankar’s true test begins when he rescues the Portuguese explorer Diego Alvarez and he tells the story of the ultimate adventure; a journey to the fabled ‘Mountain of the Moon’.
Mukherjee, who recently won the Centenary Award at the 2013 International Film Festival of India, discussed the making of this highly anticipated film. Excerpts from the interview:
How did taking on a project like Chander Pahar differ from past films?
It certainly was very different from the films I have done in the past. My earlier films had received immense applause from critics; I felt that they were commercially unviable. With Chander Pahar, I took on a competent, commercial film that would both be accepted by the critics and loved by the audiences.
Tell us about how important this book is to you and what drew you to bringing it to the big screen.
Like most other Bengalis, I read Chander Pahar at a very young age and was captivated by Shankar’s adventures in search of Richtersveld. It is one of the best works on adventure and exploration in Bengali literature, perhaps even in Indian literature. Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay has gifted us numerous stories with immeasurable imagination that would be masterpieces and I will always be grateful to the laurel of Bengali literature.
How challenging was it to be in Africa for an extensive shoot and what were some of the most difficult parts?
First of all, putting Chander Pahar on screen was a challenge in itself. Many ace directors before me, including Satyajit Ray; have often pondered on the idea of Chander Pahar on screen. Their projects met with obstacles. As for me, I am thankful to the producers, Shree Venkatesh Films, for leaving no stone unturned and supporting me throughout the execution days. The most difficult part, if I was to say would be filming the sequences with the untamed lion, the deadly black mamba and the African elephants. Also, the rock climbing sequence was a very challenging job for both the cast and the crew. Apart from these, filming in the harsh African terrain also posed quite a few challenges as the environment kept getting the better of everyone on set.
What was it like directing Dev Adhikari and how was he on the set?
For Dev’s first alternative role, he was amazing. Given his physique and appearance, he already looked like what Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay described Shankar as. Then the effort he put forward to fit in the role, right from learning horse riding and rock climbing taking risks with snakes, lions and elephants, was extraordinary. Along with all these, he also gave an acting performance that he had hardly ever done before. You get the feeling that Dev, along with Shankar, transforms from the naïve rural boy craving adventure to a survivor against all odds. And towards the end of the movie, where there was no one else in the frame, Dev carried the movie solely on one of his best performances ever. I am happy and grateful to have worked with an actor with such dedication.
Any special message for fans in the US?
Chander Pahar and Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay have remained very close to the hearts of Bengalis. Often many have wondered why Chander Pahar was never adapted for the screen or whether we, the Bengal film industry, lack the courage and commitment to do so. Well, the industry has certainly shown the courage to embark on a journey from which there is no turning back. Chander Pahar releasing in the US came as very good news to me. I was told that the Bengali communities there are anticipating the film very much. It is a story that almost every Bengali has read, Shankar, a character every Bengali has connected with. I just hope that the audience more than appreciating the hard work, connects with Shankar on screen, traverse the treacherous African continent and live in the greatest adventure ever penned down.
Watch the trailer of Chander Pahar:
This post first appeared in americanbazaaronline.com