Tanuj Virwani is currently on cloud nine as his short film ‘Parchaaiyaan’ is all set to be screened at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival 2022. ETimes got in touch with the actor who, in an exclusive conversation, spilled the beans on the film, his character, his shooting experience and more. Excerpts…
‘Parchaaiyaan’ will be screened at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival this year. How does it feel?
Well, Cannes is one of the biggest film festivals in the world and I am truly excited. I hope the audience and the jury over there enjoy our film. We have tried to make something that represents Indian culture and it is coming straight from the heart. So I am cautiously optimistic about how this film is going to be received.
Tell us something about the film and your character.
He is a rather mysterious character. All I can tell you without getting into specifics is that he really loves music. He is someone who is coming to India after a really long period of time. The connection that he shares with other individuals in the film also pertains to their common love for music. But there is more to him than that meets the eye. He is a very jovial and jolly on the surface but there is something lurking deep inside him.
The film is a tribute to the most celebrated lyricist, Sahir Ludhianvi. Were you aware about his body of work or did you go through them as a part of your prep for the film?
To be honest, I was not well-versed with Sahir saab. But my director CK sir did give me a lot of material, sent me some YouTube links so I was able to get up to speed. His body of work is truly amazing, almost overwhelming. For me, the main prep I did for the film was that I was trying to mouth the shayari in the most authentic manner possible. My character is someone who enjoys music and lyrics. So it was important for me as a South Bombay kid who doesn’t have much idea about this, to be able to do it and look effortless.
Deepika Padukone will be part of the jury this year at the Cannes Film Festival. Your thoughts…
I think it is absolutely fantastic. I am a huge fan. I think she is going from strength to strength over the years from where she had started back in 2007 with ‘Om Shanti Om’ to where she is today. It is amazing that she will be representing the country on a global platform. I couldn’t be happier. She truly belongs there.
Are you looking forward to attending the screening with your team?
I don’t know if I will be able to make it for the festival screening because I am currently shooting a couple of projects. But if my producers are kind enough to let me go then I will happily join my team, but if not then we will have a small informal screening in Mumbai itself.
Any interesting or fun anecdotes that you would like to share with us from your shooting days…
I shot for this film for a period of two days and my director CK sir would constantly record the shayari because it has to be a certain way and I would listen to it in my van and then go on set and replicate what he had taught me. He is a massive fan of Sahir saab. He knows everything there is to know about the legend. It was a lot of fun.
