One of the most popular character actors who has often made successful experimental choices ranging from films like Khosla Ka Ghosla to Bheja Fry and A Death in The Gunj, Ranvir Shorey is back on screen with Kadwi Hawa. An experimental film in more ways than one, the film talks about serious issues concerning the environment and rural life while keeping the narrative around the people of a village and their relationship with one another.
Recently the capital experienced one of the worst environmental hazards of all time when the air quality levels in the city reached and nearby crossed dangerous levels, leading to a constant state of panic throughout northern India. When News18.com asked Shorey about the timing of an environmentally conscious film, he replied, "It wasn't planned. It just panned out like that. After Delhi smog people just happened to talk more and more about the climate. It's been a burning issue for a while now but it wasn't this topical at the time we shot. "
The actor feels that though being looked at as the most relevant environmental film in recent times, Kadwi Hawa has its own cinematic beauty and storytelling. He says, "I don't think it talks only about these issues. It talks about the relationship between these two characters who are at opposite ends and who have these conflicts between them. That is the story of the film. The film's backdrop is about climate change and it also touches upon farmers' suicide. But that isn't the main story of the film."
Does he think that disguising a message under the blanket of a humane story makes the film more relevant and appealing? Shorey replies, "Let me give you an analogy, if you want to teach a child not to lie, you would opt for a story rather than being literal. Since ages, storytellers have been giving out an important message with a far more emotional impact, as compared to a literal warning or some other preachy way. This communication through an artist has the ability to reach the hearts of audience "
Mostly seen in strong character roles- be it comic or serious, the actor plays a stern loan recovery agent in Kadwi Hawa. Dwelling on his character he reveals, "Well I play a loan recovery agent who stays away from his home. He's a ruthless, relentless person who is working in the poorest of the poor nation. There are farmers who are on the verge of suicide, still, he has no compassion for them. "
Often when actors associate with projects this relevant and serious, the on-screen story affects their real-life personality as well. Talking about the changes he experienced within himself while shooting for Kadwi Hawa, Shorey says, "As an artiste, one has to aware and sensitive. So when something like this comes, you have to have sensitivity to realize the underlying message of such films beyond the story. Then once you start working with the material, you do learn new things. One thing I've learnt while doing Kadwi Hawa is the extent of damage climate change is doing right now to the rural area. "
He further adds, "We shot in Dhaulpur, it was so hot, we shot in 48-50 degree Celsius while the locals seemed accustomed to it. It was a sad sight to see as these people have a negligible amount of carbon footprint on the planet but are bearing the brunt of it. "
Another topic that is burning the air and quality of the nation is the entire Padmavati controversy. Backing Sanjay Leela Bhansali and lashing out at the fringe outfits demanding a ban on the film for 'assumed reasons', Shorey says, "I think the state of India needs to clamp down on these groups and not bow down to their bullying every time. "
The actor has a very valid take on where these fringe outfits should pick their 'wars'. He quips, "Now everybody has a sena and when all these senas start working on a conflict what will be left of India then? Anyway, I think all these senas should be put at the border, where they can show their bravery where it is required. What is this bravery they are showing by burning theaters and threatening filmmakers? This is gundagardi and not valor. "
"The rest of the community should ostracize these guys because they are actually defaming the community by their behavior, " the actor remarks.
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