THE GRADUATE

AFTER WORKING WITH HIS GURU VISHAL BHARDWAJ FOR YEARS, DIRECTOR ADITYA NIMBALKAR OF SECTOR 36 FAME HAS PASSED WITH FLYING COLOURS. SUMAN SHARMA CAPTURES HIS EUPHORIA

- SUMAN SHARMA

Aditya Nimbalkar's Sector 36 is making waves. He grins like a proud parent whose child has got into the merit list, when you tell him that. The director grew up on a diet of classic Hindi films and world cinema, then got a chance to work with Vishal Bhardwaj as an AD for more than a decade, learning the ropes from his mentor. Some scenes of Sector 36, which is inspired by the Nithari killings, make your skin crawl. Deft acting by the lead actors Vikrant Massey and Deepak Dobriyal keeps you rooted to your couches. It's not an easy film to make your debut with. It's critical success means the world to the director. In a freewheeling interview, he talks about the debt he I owes to his mentor Vishal Bharadwaj and his obsession with the late Irrfan Khan. Excerpts:

WHAT DREW YOU TO DIRECT SECTOR 36?

The script was brought to me by Maddock, who expressed interest in producing the film. Upon reading it, I was immediately drawn to the narrative crafted by Bodhayan Roychaudhury.

I found the story not only engaging but also deeply fascinating, especially since it revolves around a case that has captivated the nation for years. Maddock is known for its exceptional track record in the industry and the opportunity to collaborate with such a respected production house was incredibly appealing. This combination of an intriguing script and the chance to work with Maddock is what sparked my enthusiasm and set our journey in motion.

HOW DID YOU APPROACH THE RESEARCH FOR THIS FILM?

Bodhayan conducted extensive research during the scriptwriting process, laying a solid foundation for the story. Once I came on board, I immersed myself in additional research, watching documentaries and reading numerous true crime books. I also explored interviews related to various cases, which enriched my understanding of the genre.