A JOURNEY THROUGH STORIES

BENGALI DIRECTOR ARJUNN DUTTA DOESN'T BELIEVE IN SUGARCOATING LIFE. SRIJANI ROY CHOWDHURY GETS TO KNOW HIS PHILOSOPHY

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Arjunn Dutta is indeed a filmmaker to watch, as he continues to carve out his unique cinematic legacy, blending heartfelt storytelling with a passion for exploring the nuances of human connections. He's a complete outsider who started his journey without a mentor.

His passion for cinema has been his guiding force. He always had an eye for the unusual and found himself gravitating to stories which had drama and yet were rooted in life. As a broad perspective, his films are stories where the underdog gets prominence and yet his flaws aren't neglected. Dutta doesn't believe in glorified characters but in flawed ones. His debut film Abyakto (2018) speaks of an unease that lies between a mother and a son. Guldasta (2020) was a tale of three women going through different things in life and how they coped with life's curveballs, while Shrimati (2022) pointed out that being a housewife too is a choice and shouldn't be looked down upon. His upcoming film Deep Fridge (2025) is a sympathetic examination of a broken marriage. We're meeting at a popular cafe in Kolkata. He promptly finishes his first cup of coffee as I question...

What has always been the driving force behind your work?

I've always loved telling stories. I was born in Kolkata, a city known for its rich art and culture. From a young age, I would make up stories. I would narrate fantasies and closely observe my mother's and grandmother's reactions. I've always felt a deep connection to storytelling, it came naturally to me. Even as a child, I devoured books and was completely hooked on '90s Bollywood movies.

It was clear to me that filmmaking was the world I wanted to be a part of.

Your journey in filmmaking started with short films. Can you tell us a little about how it all began?