Nandita Das speaks with Subhash K Jha about her Deepa Mehta directed film 1947 Earth, which released in 1999!
Deepa Mehta’s 1947 Earth where you played a nanny during Partition is 27 ?
Some films become more and more relevant with every passing year. Earth is definitely one of them. With mindless wars, rising prejudice, strife, and violence everywhere, this is a film that questions this insanity and the need for trust, compassion, and empathy.
But then where do people see it?!
I don’t see it on any major platform. Unlikely it will get re-released like many other films that are. It really deserves to be. A powerful story written by Bapsi Sidhwa, who is sadly no more, with soulful lyrics by Javed sahab, fantastic music by A R Rahman, superb performances by all the actors… no self-praise here! I mean, my co-actors.
You were fabulous. So was Aamir Khan?
I truly think it is one of Aamir‘s best performances. It’s my most favourite film of Deepa’s. And one of my most memorable experiences. I really hope 27 years later somebody will make it more accessible. Anyhow, time is the only true judge of art, so it will stand the test of time.
