New Delhi, Manoj Bajpayee’s compelling performance in “Despatch” serves as a lens through which filmmaker Kanu Behl seeks to illuminate the increasingly “opaque and foggy” realities of a modern world, exacerbated by the widening chasm between the affluent elite and the impoverished masses.
Cinema, Behl asserts, is not merely entertainment; it provides a vital platform for dialogue, especially as ‘Despatch’ ventures into the intricate web of corporate and political power dynamics that define our society.
Having premiered at the prestigious MAMI Mumbai Film Festival, the film centers around Joy Bag, a crime journalist from Mumbai grappling with a mid-life crisis while confronting the existential threats posed by digitalization. As the narrative unfolds, he becomes embroiled in a convoluted scandal involving the corporate-political machinery—a revelation that could potentially destabilize the city’s very foundations.
The narrative of “Despatch,” which draws inspiration from real-life figures in the journalism field, began its conceptual journey in 2016. Behl, celebrated for his impactful storytelling in films like “Titli” and “Agra,” emphasizes the importance of authenticity in character portrayal.
Behl, alongside co-writer Ishani Banerjee, sought to eschew traditional portrayals that depict journalists as one-dimensional heroes driven solely by altruism. Instead, they undertook an extensive research journey over a year and a half that included interactions with an eclectic mix of journalists, lawyers, and those entrenched in the criminal underbelly. This exploration unveiled unsettling realities that challenged their initial narrative constructs.
As the filmmaker articulates, “The modern world that we are living in today is becoming so opaque and so foggy that now, as the gap between the rich and poor gets increasingly wider and as the rich hold more and more power, you can’t even know who is doing what and for what reason.” This complexity unfolded before them and encouraged a more layered and nuanced storytelling approach.
During their research, the duo discovered an intriguing paradox: they were crafting a film about a journalist in search of truth, yet the obscured realities made that search nearly impossible. “And we thought, how interesting is this?” Behl shared, revealing that this uncertainty offered fertile ground for a subversive cinematic experience.
With Bajpayee embodying the intricate layers of this character-driven narrative, Behl aspired to portray journalists in a manner that reflects their human vulnerabilities and moral dilemmas, echoing the complexities of the world they inhabit.
Having graduated from the esteemed Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Behl’s filmmaking journey began as an assistant director on Dibakar Banerjee’s “Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!” and co-writing the critically acclaimed “Love Sex aur Dhokha.” His directorial debut, “Titli,” which delves into the lives of a car-jacking gang in Delhi, was selected for the Un Certain Regard category at the Cannes Film Festival, while “Agra” explored themes of sexual repression and was showcased in the Directors’ Fortnight section at Cannes.
Behl espouses a philosophy of cinematic exploration that transcends genre restrictions, expressing his interest in delving into the fringes of society rather than conforming to mainstream narratives. “I’m interested in exploring the margins of society because there are enough filmmakers who are making happy films and telling those sorts of stories,” he remarked. For him, cinema is a conduit for crucial conversations about underrepresented voices grappling with societal struggles.
The protagonist of “Despatch” epitomizes this ideology, as a crime journalist navigating the treacherous waters of lust, greed, and corruption. Behl notes, “Almost all crime journalists end up functioning on the margins. You find many disenfranchised people at a place of crime and that’s a very interesting area because you get to see the collusion of people who are in power and those who are powerless.”
He elaborates, “That’s an area that’s rich with the kind of tapestries that you can build, which can bring a lot of irony and the rich possibilities of understanding the social, political, and cultural structures that govern our lives.”
When Bajpayee, an actor with a remarkable balance between commercial success and independent cinema, agreed to take on the role, Behl felt a surge of excitement akin to hitting the jackpot. “He’s one of the very few actors who, after more than 30 years in the industry, approaches every new character with the enthusiasm of a newcomer,” Behl acknowledged.
Additionally, he lauded Bajpayee for helping to elevate lesser-heard voices in the industry, emphasizing the collaborative spirit that characterizes the film’s production, which includes support from industry stalwarts like Ronnie Screwala and Zee, who will eventually distribute the film.
However, Behl candidly reflects on the inherent struggles attached to independent filmmaking. “It can be frustrating at times, but that’s a struggle that every filmmaker goes through,” he noted. “Anyone who’s passionate about their craft will inevitably confront challenges, which should be embraced as part of the artistic journey.”
Starring alongside Bajpayee is Shahana Goswami, and “Despatch” is set to premiere soon on the streaming platform ZEE5, promising audiences a thought-provoking exploration of truth within the complex interplay of power and corruption.
