Director Rohena Gera’s film Sir delves into two completely disparate worlds which co-exist within a single home and overlap partially. By Team Viva

How did you conceptualise the film, Sir?

The questions the film asks have been with me for almost my entire life. I was aware of class divisions as a child... While growing up, many of us need caretakers and we are close to them but there is always a barrier when it comes to love.

As an adult, I employed women in my home, women who I grew close to... There is tremendous intimacy when one shares a home, though of course it is a bit one-sided.  For instance, someone who works for you can read your moods, they know if you’ve had a bad day, or if you don’t eat well, or if a phone call suddenly changes your demeanour. Perhaps, even though we do not read them carefully but a bond that develops over time.

The presence of two completely disparate worlds within a single home is what I find most interesting — such different realities and concerns but a human connection.

I decided to explore it as a love story to see how far I could take it and make the two characters more equal. I feel that when you are in love with someone you see the world through their eyes. It happens easily, automatically... and that’s interesting as the individuals on either side of the barrier want to see each other’s points of view.

Is the film inspired by real-life instances? What were the references that you took?

It is inspired from real-life instances. The details are all from life, from my observations of people, life and society... Let’s say it’s a sort of heightened reality.

What is your definition of love? How do you think our society understands it?

In the film I wanted to explore ideas of love. What is it really, how do you know it is real, who is the one?

For me, it is about finding someone who sees you for who you are and enables you to be all that you can be. And vice versa. Simply, someone who brings out the best in you. And of course, respect is crucial as there is no love without that. 

Do you think financial differences or class hierarchy are a barrier for love?

I think they act as a barrier, especially, when people stick to prescriptive roles in society — what men and women ought to be and so on. (Often in our society we accept it if a man marries a woman who has less but the opposite is more complicated).

I feel that it’s important to change your gender in your head before taking certain decisions. I ask myself sometimes, would I do this if I was a man? If the answer is unchanged by gender, I know I am on the right path but if it changes, then I have to stop and think.

One can overcome financial differences if people are self-aware and willing to actively fight prejudices, even when it comes to the ones we have internalised in our own heart.

The film compels one to think — we all believe in love but can we really love across class? And if we can, how far do you think one can go?

People can love across class... Love is a human emotion and I believe it can transcend class if we allow it to. The question is how free does an individual feel with respect to their family or society? How accountable do we need to be? That is a personal decision.

Also, each person has his/her own needs. For some, a deep emotional bond is more important while for some a structurally viable life, where families and lifestyles are similar. It is again, a very personal choice.

Most of your films have revolved around different dimensions of love...

I guess I love love stories and I believe in the transformative power of love. Like I said, when you love someone you see the world through their eyes, you see differently. That is incredibly powerful.

Given the pandemic of Coronavirus, which is not going to go away anytime soon, how do you think delaying film releases is going to affect the industry, especially the small budget films?

It’s very hard to say as nobody knows how long this will take. I am trying to focus on the positive aspects. The trailer has received an overwhelming response, the film has been trending on IMDb (Internet movie database) as the most anticipated Indian film. Of course, the release schedule will be very crowded whenever cinemas open but I feel Sir… is a film that is quite different from mainstream films, so we can coexist. 

I have spent years on this film and I will do what it takes to get it to its audience.  But right now, I feel there are bigger issues at stake. For a lot of people, it’s going to be a struggle to make ends meet or have two square meals a day. We need to be conscious of that and try to reach out to the most vulnerable around us. 

How do you plan to tide over it?

Right now, I am spending time with my family and am extremely grateful that we are able to be together. I am trying to enjoy living a slow life... and I am writing again, which helps me stay sane.