A 'witch's house' made for cake

Keki found this drama directed by Sulakshan Bharti around 2015 very entertaining. Actor Sarita Giri's solo performance is strong. The subject raised by the play left such an impression on Keki that she was stuck on the issue for a long time. There was a break in the daily routine of watching a movie every day, she kept thinking about this topic. She came to the decision to make a film on the play after remembering the same subject during the lockdown. At that time, I could have invested the money I earned from suffering elsewhere. But, I thought of spending my savings to make a film on this topic,' Keki remembered the initial stage of film production.

Cinematographer Bharti initially rejected the offer to make a film on the play. At that time, he did not have the courage to make a film. However, he saw the 'hunger' for this project in Keki's eyes. "When I say I am going to make a film, I am scared, when I say a film, it is a big project. But KK initially encouraged that only you can make a film on this story,” recalls Sulakshan. After the discussion of making a film based on the play, the late critic/journalist Gokarna Gautam asked Sulakshan, "Can you make it like a play?" In response, Sulakshan said, "I can".

Keki had never acted in a character like 'Boksi Ko Ghar'. Therefore, he had a desire in his heart to act the said character himself. Aspects of the portrayal of women on screen that are often lacking in writing, the characters in the witch's house were all taken care of. However, Keki never expressed her desire to play the role. After the film was decided, director Bharti asked Keki, 'The witch has a very strong character in this film. When will the audition start?' When the unexpected question came from the

director, Keki couldn't help but show her hunger for the role. He blurted out from his mouth, 'Take whoever you want to cast'. At that time it was Sulakshan who encouraged Keki to play the role, for which certain conditions had to be fulfilled. Having to audition, spending 3-4 months on character building. That character has to shave his hair, and get a workshop. While he is giving me all the conditions, this story is based on a true story and the characters have experienced in the society. After saying that there is no point in enjoying that movie if you can't enjoy it, it made me think about it," Keki said.

While doing 'Boksi Ko Ghar', Keki learned 'method acting' from Sulakshan. He should have reached Tribhuvan University Square at half past five in the morning. She used to walk around the tree blindfolded. While walking like that, director Bharti followed Keki. Sometimes he was made to meditate. Keki has never acted like this while doing 33 films in her 15-year film career. However, every film has a different character. However, the same thing was repeated in Kiki's acting in every film. The way of speaking, the body movements are always the same. Walk like that.

director Sulakshan Bharti and Keki Adhikari . Photo: Angad Dhakal/Kantipur

Keki knew very well where she was in acting. So she was ready to practice this kind of acting. There comes a turning point in a person's life. From which he sees the life ahead and behind it in two parts. That's how I took the witch's house. I look at it separately as my acting life before the witch's house and acting after this film.'' Keki had not spent such a long time on character building before. She used to read the script and act immediately. There was applause on the set, the audience in the hall loved it. However, in this film, she has caught a different process of acting.

The film tells the story of a character accused of being a witch. It took 6 months for Keki to create the character of that character. Kiki didn't study acting, she learned acting by falling. She is amazed that she was able to touch method acting through director Bharti. She worked on her voice, 'body language'. Took an acting workshop with Bharti for three months. After that, she spent the remaining three months in characterisation. Director Bharti says that Keki's performance in this character is 'surprising' for everyone. How was the film made? I can't say yet. But, after watching this film, Keki's performance will surprise us,' said Bharti. The

film industry still doesn't trust actresses for this kind of character. Moreover, few films are made on women-centric issues. Only a handful of films have strong female characters. Why still the production team does not trust the female character? Misconceptions of the market still suggest that such characters are not written for women, says director Bharti. Bharti believes that through this film, KK will challenge the male-dominated film industry.

Many people used to call Sulakshan's friend's mother a 'witch' when Tokha lived. Friend is ignorant of that. His friend's mother also loved Sulakshan very much. However, there was fear from inside. Bharti, who grew up in Sinamangal, spent a long time looking at the figure that was fluttering in the big peepal tree there. Many accused her of being a witch. I used to follow him, pick leaves and offer them to God. And he used to abuse God," Sulakshan recounts, "I have been seeing such incidents. And after reading the news in the newspaper accusing her of being a witch, she remembered her friend's mother. Then I wrote that I will tell this story.'

According to Bharti and Adhikari, the play was converted into a film to bring such a serious issue of Nepali society to many people. At that time, 3,000 people must have seen the play. Now I will show this story to at least 3 lakh," said Bharti, "I do not associate the film with business. But let the cake's money rise. The film has the story and acting needed to run, so it seems to run.' Director Bharti had a challenge to turn the single play into a screenplay. However, playwright Bharti has written a screenplay taking on this challenge. I am not the writer of a film that gives a message. I am a writer asking questions. I have also asked questions through this film," said Bharti.