Subhash K Jha spoke with the powerhouse performer Mita Vashisht about her experiences working on Govind Nihalani’s powerful drama Droh Kaal, which also featured Om Puri, Amrish Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, and Ila Arun.
Droh Kaal was an important film for your career?
Thirty years of Droh Kaal ! It is worth celebrating. It continues to resonate with our times. It is one of the most powerful and evocative films committed to principles of life and character. Droh Kaal also continues to be one of the most original scripts ever written. There is another unique aspect to Droh Kaal .
And what is that?
Normally, it is South Indian films which are remade into Hindi. But in this case, it was the other way around: Kamal Haasanji had taken the rights of Droh Kaal and made a Tamil film Kuruthipunal. And that, too, was successful.
Droh Kaal was your first significant lead, and that too in a Govind Nihalani film?
Mere liye khaas taur pe, yeh bahot special film hai. I remember receiving a call from Govind Nihalaniji when I was in London. I was there doing a workshop with voice coach Patsy Rodenburg. Govindji called in London to say he is making Droh Kaal , and he wanted to cast me opposite Om Puri. He asked, would you do the role.
And your reply?
I replied, ‘Neki aur puch puch?’ Why wouldn’t I want to work with Om Puri? And, of course, it turned out to be a fabulous experience, as expected. As a very young actress, I got to play the lead opposite someone of Om Puri’s stature. Then there were other stalwarts in the cast, like Amrish Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, Ila Arun…These were actors one had looked up to.
Besides the co-actors, what made Droh Kaal special?
Apart from the fact that my character Sumitra was cast opposite Om’s Abhay, this was truly a memorable experience in terms of creativity and the work culture on the sets. It was a very long 40-50-day shoot.
The film has not dated at all?
Most interesting is how Droh Kaal has withstood the test of time. When I met Bejoy Nambiar for the first time, he told me he keeps Droh Kaal in his pocket for reference. For him, it is a handbook of craft for a thriller. Many actors and filmmakers consider Droh Kaal a marg darshak (landmark). It has everything, plus it is a profound take on human relationship. It is as remarkable now as it was when it was released. In fact, when it had released it ran for a full 9 weeks in movie theatres in Mumbai. It is a fabulous film, and I was blessed to be part of it. And yes, I got my first award for it also, as an actress in a supporting role.
