Farooki @ DS Cafe

If punctuality is a commendable trait, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki should be given full credit as he showed up at the DS Café 10 minutes before schedule (last Saturday). Minutes before the phone line got busy (for the next one hour) the Arts and Entertainment Desk put up a few questions to the acclaimed director.
The Daily Star (TDS): How did you get into films?
Farooki: I don't know -- there isn't any particular answer to that. I tried so many things in life -- to become a writer, a cricketer. Basically I wanted to impress a girl. As I didn't have great looks, illustrious background, or a heavy wallet, I had to explore other ways. After watching many films at film societies, I thought I could give filmmaking a shot. It was like from prem (love)to frame!
I started off with a 'duck' in the debut innings as my first video fiction got rejected by the preview committee of ETV. I thought this was the end of my affair with films and started to look into other options. At that point, I got a call from Farhad Mahmood, the MD of the channel, saying that he liked my 'rejected' work and bought it. So that's how it all started.
You would notice that my earliest works are quite unlike what I produce now; the former are much more theatrical, following a style that was popular then. To come out of that gharana was very important for me. But I didn't have the training to change my style overnight and join the wave of the world cinema which is much more subtle and realistic. It means I had to rely heavily on trial and error.
There is this line I used in my film “Bachelor”: “I am a student of the World University of Mistakes.” Mistake is my biggest teacher.
The line gets flooded with calls a minute after 1 pm.
Lenin from Baridhara: I wanted to be the first caller. Please tell me something about your new movie. And where do you live? Will it be possible to meet you?
Farooki: I am contemplating a film; probably going to start from July. I live pretty close to you -- in Baridhara, DOHS. You can e-mail me at [email protected].
Arafat from Old Dhaka: I want to work in your films/ TV plays. How do I go about it?
Farooki: Can you peel a banana? I mean if you are sensible and intelligent enough, we can give it a shot. All you need to do is send details to the e-mail address mentioned above.
Hassan from Lalmonirhat: When do you plan to get married? Anyone in particular in mind? Why do you mostly portray life in the city? Is rural life absent in your works due to limitations?
Farooki: To answer your first question, I am yet to marry. No one particular in mind either. City life is what I have experienced first hand. You might expect to see one or two rural-themed works in the future. There is actually no limitation but just a difference in perception.
Isaafi from Dhanmondi: I really liked your film “Third Person Singular Number”. Since I want to be a filmmaker, how do I get involved with 'Chhobial'?
Farooki: You definitely can, as aspiring filmmakers are greatly encouraged nowadays.
Shabnam from Dhaka: I am interested in acting. Observing your works, I think I will be able to pull it off.
Farooki: Why not? I can spot around 15 million actors and actresses in the country.
Arnob from Barisal: Why don't you make classic TV plays like “Ekannoborti”, “69” and “420” any more?
Farooki: You see, family-oriented serials seem repetitive. I try not to bore my viewers. Innovation is the key now.
TDS: Why do you insist on using colloquial/street lingo in your plays/films?
Farooki: Time and again I have faced this argument. Those who find the use of informal/street lingo and different dialects of Bangla 'inappropriate' are clearly not thinking logically. A filmmaker's job is not to educate people in using formal Bangla. His job is to give the right language to the character depending on the situation. That can be standard/ formal Bangla or dialects from different part of Bangladesh. Every character speaking 'bookish' Bangla would be wrong detailing. It's like asking, “Why won't I put a kuli (labourer) in a suit?” As a filmmaker it's not my job to preach or dictate what's proper or improper. My only responsibility is to present a credible depiction of the reality and the language used in my works is the reality.
Al-Amin from Dhaka: We notice that you emphasise on empowerment of women…
Farooki (smilingly): I give equal stress to both men and women's empowerment.
Shoaib from Bonosri: I have seen you quite often at Aziz Super Market. I wanted to ask you for some pointers on how I can become a filmmaker.
Farooki: Did you say Aziz Market? You got me nostalgic! My advice would be to watch a lot of international films.
Shihab from Katasur: You have revolutionised TVC making in Bangladesh? Any new TV commercial by you coming out? When will the movie “I Hate My Mother” be released? Why are there so many low-budget films by Impress Telefilms?
Farooki: About TVCs, quite a few in the pipeline. The plot of “I hate my mother” was actually turned into “Third Person Singular Number”. Low-budget? Well, I'm lucky enough to get a budget that's sufficient. My last film's budget was over one million. I am not sure what you meant. There have been radical changes in the field of filmmaking in Bangladesh.
Arefin from Moghbazar: We read a lot of negative things about you. What is your response to those?
Farooki: About negative news/remarks regarding me, all I can say is when someone's house of cards falls apart, he/she falls into despair.
Mehedi from Uttara: Feels great to talk to you. DS Café is a great new venture. I am involved in theatre and want to work with you.
Farooki: Yes, DS Café is doing a great job. Nothing is impossible. Just mail me at the given address.
Imran from Dhanmondi: I am 23 years old. I want to start making movies. How can I make it possible?
Farooki: You are only 23. And that is no challenge at all. Even if you were 53 I would have said 'Yes you can do it.' You are young and spirited; just get started. Watch a lot of movies. It would help you if you can first work as an assistant director as there is no film school in our country.