Tisca Chopra's short film "Chutney": Making a short film was creatively satisfying

Tisca Chopra I think it is very important that we have literature related to now because language cant remain the same. Chutney is a short film, which marks the debut of Tisca Chopra as a producer. As the name suggests, the film is a thematic in which Chutney is ... Tisca Chopra received a marriage proposal on Twitter

After impressing viewers with her performances in films like 'Taare Zameen Par' and 'Rahasya', Tisca Chopra is set to turn producer with a 15-minute short film, Chutney. Her look in it is a complete shocker. The debut venture, which also features Adil Hussain and Rasika Duggal, has been made under Tisca's banner The Eastern Way and presented by Royal Stag Barrel Select. It delves into voyeurism, infidelity, marital relationships and insecurity.
 

It's a dark tale about an ordinary woman Vanita (Tisca), who you wouldn't notice in a million years. It's a spicy story about the great Indian middle class — how they seem so normal but have such deep secrets buried in their seemingly calm exteriors. She says, "For me, pretty is boring. I love losing myself in the character. There are many people around us who go unnoticed as there is nothing striking about them. I used to often wonder if some of them had exciting stories to share. Vanita is one such person. She is ugly, cannot speak well, and is married into a family that is higher in status than hers, but what is inside her is amazing. In a way, it's like the revenge of the geeks." Interestingly, the story is not new. "Many years ago, I had performed it as a play and it stayed on in my mind. Recently, I met the director, Jyoti Kapur Das, and we started writing the script. The film has been shot with a feature-like quality," the actress explains.

Ask Tisca how she came up with the title 'Chutney', and she replies, "Isn't spice a necessary aspect of our lives? However, much like Vanita, 'chutney' often goes unnoticed. Despite all its spiciness, it is never the centre of attention or attraction in the Indian diet; it is never served alone."

The actress reveals that apart from a feature film that will be coming up soon, she is also keen to produce commercials and web series in the near future.

Making a short film was creatively satisfying: Tisca Chopra
Web series and short films have become a rage these days. It not only gives a film-maker the freedom to explore unique content, but also unleashes their creative side. Actor Tisca Chopra has recently turned producer with her short film, titled Chutney.

The theme of the film is about guarding one’s turf. Tisca, who started her acting career in 1993, wanted to share certain stories with the audience. “This story has been on my mind since a while now,” says the Taare Zameen Par actor.
Interestingly, it was director Imtiaz Ali, who suggested that she make a short film. “It was a random remark that stayed with me. He said, ‘Once you do make a short film, you will understand many things’,” she adds. Since then, Tisca has been sure about making a short film, as the “story lends itself better to the format”. “Had it been shot as a long movie, it wouldn’t have worked. The story will teach people how not to take ordinary people for granted. It is also about women taking control,” she says.

Apparently, the actor and her team finished the film in a month and half. Tisca was part of the entire process. “From writing to learning the nuances of editing, I was involved in everything. Making a short film was creatively satisfying. As an actor, one does not get to experience so much. You take everything for granted. A lot of learning was required for this movie,” she says.

Tisca Chopra is an Indian film and stage actress known for her works in Hindi cinema, and Television. She made her film debut with Platform, opposite Ajay Devgan