Begali movie Laboratory - a must see

Laboratory is a story written by Rabindranath Tagore just before a year before his death.

This woman-centric film is essentially a tale of two women, especially Sohini - a rustic uneducated girl who is married to Nandakishore and then is left with a daughter and the lab at the end of the first year of her marriage due to her husband’s unfortunate death while carrying out an experiment in the lab. The story is all about how Sohini gets a hold of herself and makes an utmost effort to live upto her husband’s dream of maintaining the lab at any cost even if it means sacrificing the happiness of her daughter.
Here is an interview by Mr Raja Sen the acclaimed director of the movie Laboratory.

What was the most difficult part of adapting a short story of Tagore that has also been adapted on stage?
I always had a certain weakness for the story. I never saw it as difficulty when it came to making a cinematic adaptation. I was exploring the various layers and shades of the Tagore story. Since I had seen a stage adaptation, I knew the minus points. Hence, I was clear about what I should avoid in my movie.

So, what did you consciously do that wasn't there on stage?
Since Sohini is a girl from Punjab, I was conscious of casting a non-Bengali actor for this part. I didn't want any actor from Kolkata to play this role. That was one of the reasons for me casting Raveena in this role.

Did you ever want anyone else to dub for Raveena's portions, especially for the portions where she played a widow?
Frankly and honestly speaking, I did have the dilemma. But then, I decided to take a risk. A Punjabi lady will speak in a certain way even after she has lived in Bengal for sometime. I think, Raveena's voice justifies her presence in terms of the script.

Was budget any problem for you?
I know that I'm making a regional film and I had to return the producer's money. I made the film in `60 lakh. Even on the first day of the movie, my producer has already recovered the cost with the film's US release and the sale of satellite rights. The look that my film now can easily be passed on as that of a
`1 crore production. I got sponsorship for costumes and ornaments. I got the locations with my personal
connections. I did more rehearsals than takes. That saved the raw stock.

Have you done a post-mortem for your film?
Yes. Mine isn't a so-called popular film. It's been made for intelligent people. I'm very satisfied with my project. Compliments have come my way. A scientist sent me an e-mail from abroad saying how happy she was with my movie. I'm also very happy with Arpita's performance. She followed me like an obedient student and did a swell job with the characterisation. From "Damu" to " Laboratory", I've never wanted to remake any of my films. This is my ultimate standard. I'm open to be accepted or rejected for having made this movie. I knew my budget and chose my subject accordingly. I didn't choose a movie where I'd have to shoot in Italy or Switzerland.

Why did you have Raveena and Arpita paint semi-nude pictures?
There is an undercurrent of sexuality in both women. Sexuality isn't a taboo for either of them. They have no prejudice about painting a semi-nude picture.



http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Ill-make-a-comedy-movie-says-Raja-Sen/articleshow/6995593.cms