After the critically acclaimed Gippi, director Sonam Nair is back with something completely different. This time she ventures into the world of short films and a very unique story. Titled Khujli, the film stars Jackie Shroff and Neena Gupta in a tale about finding a new spark in marriage.
Sonam explains, “Khujli is about a middle-aged couple who get the spark back in their marriage by trying out something new in the bedroom.”
So what inspired that story? “The idea came from the fact that many mothers, including my own, seemed very into 50 Shades of Grey when it came out,” she says, “I was curious about why all these seemingly orthodox middle-aged women loved this book so much. There was some repressed sexual expression there, that had been dying to come out!”
The short film has so many funny moments, so did she ever crack up while writing the script? Yes and on set too she reveals, “I crack myself up all the time! While writing, directing, editing, at any point in the process really. I always say if I don’t find this funny, no one else will. That’s how I direct or write comedy too – based on what makes me laugh.”
The director says working with lead pair was a wonderful experience, “Jackie and Neena were complete delights! They came to me almost like newcomers would. With no hang-ups, no pre-conceived notions. Just the eagerness to try something new together, and to have fun. Which is why they seem so new and fresh in this.”
So how did she work with the two to get them, if you will forgive me, to get in the mood? “The mood on set was always a fun, naughty one. I’m the least awkward person, which makes everyone around me comfortable no matter what the scene requires. And I don’t mind acting everything out myself, so that the joke’s on me and then everyone can get to work!”
Khulji does take a look at a topic that is not covered in films, especially in India but also in the US. Why was it important for her to do this film? “This kind of topic is certainly new for India, which is why making a short about it seemed better than trying to pitch a feature. And the response has been so overwhelmingly positive, that I’m hoping people will be able to see that films about sex needn’t be seedy or vulgar.”
Khulji is literally laugh out loud funny. It covers the topic perfectly with sensitivity but also with so many superb comic moments. Neena and Jackie are brilliant in their roles. They completely committed and went all in in every scene. They make the movie. Having seen them now I can’t imagine anyone else in this film. Khulji is fabulous. It was so good and the performances so outstanding I wanted more, 15 minutes were not enough. Though, at the same time, it was, because it perfectly caught a moment in time.
Be sure to check out Khulji and let us know your thoughts! We can’t praise it enough!
