Sai Paranjpye, the visionary behind the 1981 classic Chashme Buddoor, recently delved into the nuances of her filmmaking journey, shedding light on the inspirations and challenges that shaped her work.
Despite its enduring popularity, the film faced challenges in gaining critical acclaim. “Not one, not even half an award,” she remarked, highlighting the industry’s tendency to overlook comedies. She said, “Comedy ka award? You’ve got to be joking, you know that.”
Interestingly, Paranjpye revealed that she wasn’t influenced by contemporaries like Hrishikesh Mukherjee during the making of Chashme Buddoor. “No, I don’t think so… I didn’t see too many of his films,” she admitted, though she expressed admiration for Mukherjee as a person.
Her diverse upbringing, including time spent in Australia where her father served as India’s first High Commissioner, exposed her to a rich tapestry of literature and cinema. “I must have imbibed a lot being very imaginative always,” she reflected, attributing her unique storytelling approach to these early experiences.
