‘033 has nothing to do with Madly Bangalee’

Another band movie?

033 is not a band movie at all. The band is a part of the film, it helps tell the story. But it’s not just about the band. It’s more about connecting with your roots.

Showcasing young Kolkata

The film is about young Kolkata. And I count myself among young Kolkata. 033 comes from the idea that one is nothing without his past. I am what I am because of the theatre, the films, the culture I’ve experienced— the times I’ve been through.

The name “033”

For me, 033 is Kolkata. It is the telephone code for the city. We could have called the movie “Kolkata” or “Amar Kolkata” or something along those lines. But “033” is catchier. Moreover, the film is about connecting with the city. Kolkata often takes time to adjust with new things. And here are young people trying to connect with this city, with their roots. And yes, the band in the movie is also named 033.

The film’s music

The music is by Chandrabindoo. And for the first time in their career, the lyrics are by someone else. Poet Srijato has penned the lyrics to the songs. The sound is mostly acoustic with urban rock elements. There’s a jazz number, some classic rock, an Eric Clapton-like number…. There are five to six songs, each with a distinct sound.

On turning director

I always thought I’d be here. My father, Raja Dasgupta, is a filmmaker. My grandfather was sort of a pioneer in documentary filmmaking in India. Since childhood I’ve been seeing the flashbulbs, watching my father say, “Lights! Camera! Action!” I started with television, then moved to Mumbai where I assisted Anurag Kashyap on Black Friday. But when I wanted to make my own movie, I came back because it made sense to make it in Bengali – a language I’m more comfortable with.

Feelings ahead of the release

I am very tense as of now. 033 is a new age film – new age in terms of treatment, technicalities and emotions. Such a film can go one of two ways. Either people will receive it very well or they’ll reject it completely.

Link with Madly Bangalee

The work for 033 began much earlier in 2002. My father was to make it then. There were talks with several producers over the following seven, eight years. But things did not work out. The script for 033 has changed over the years, but it has nothing to do with Madly Bangalee. I haven’t even watched the film. Moreover, the shooting for 033 and Madly Bangalee carried on almost at the same time. So I couldn’t even see Anjan Dutt’s film and be influenced by it.

After 033

I’ve been floating two or three script ideas. But it will all depend on how 033 fares. Either I will be asked to make another 033 or I’ll be at liberty to make something on a higher scale.


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