Sea change

“The Ship of Theseus or Theseus Ka Jahaj,is a philosophical paradox based on the story of the Greek god Theseus who built a huge ship. As its parts got replaced over the years,there came a time where it became difficult to identify the original piece of work. My film probes this question in the context of the human body. What happens when you disintegrate a human body? Does it change or remain the same?” asks Gandhi.

The film weaves the four narratives of an intuitive,brilliant but blind photographer,a monk facing an ethical dilemma,a clockmaker with an ailing heart and a young stock broker involved in the murky world of an organ racket. Set in Cairo,Stockholm and Mumbai,it poses questions on morality,ethics and ideologies through stories that deal with redemption,fear of death and paranoia. “The film will be a philosophical exploration of whether a blind person can think in colours,or if a monk can resolve the conflict demands of violence and non-violence,” he says.

Aida Elkashaf,a young actor/filmmaker from Cairo and daughter of Egyptian filmmaker Radwan Elkashaf,plays the female lead. For the film’s score,Gandhi plans to rope in artistes as diverse as Dayna Kurtz to Swanand Kirkire.

Gandhi has won several international accolades,including the Best Short Film Award at the Syracuse International Film Festival,the Audience Award at Shnit Film Festival for his film Right Here Right Now in 2003,Film Comet for Best Film at the Hannover International Film Festival for his film Continuum (2006) and National Award for his first play Sugandhi (he was just 19 when he wrote it).

His stint with television included writing scripts for two cult soaps,Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi and Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii. “I was surprised when it became a national obsession. Eventually,it stunted creativity for I was writing for a medium that discouraged originality,” he says.

Gandhi enjoys experimentation and improvisations while making films. “One of my short films had nine languages,” he says,laughing. “Film is one medium that brings together the various cultural and aesthetic strands like literature,photography,culture and performing arts. I regard it as the best form of expression,” he signs off.