The film is based in a village called Rangpur. Lalbati is the home of the whores, and Ila Arun plays the madam of the brothel. Each character has a story. The sexual content is suggested, not shown, but it still leaves the viewer disgusted and depressed. The reason I am stressing on this is it is not about making you feel good. If you do, we have failed. You cannot enjoy this film as entertainment.
Kalpanaji does not use technique the way it is used in commercial cinema. She places a camera and the actor is free to perform in front of it. If she is enjoying what you are doing, she will never say 'Cut.' She is different.
When we were performing, we had 2000 junior artists around us in Satara while I was doing a tandav scene. Kalpana's only concern was for nobody to make a sound. She didn't want her artiste to be disturbed. That is why Chingaari is, by far, one of my finest performances. I didn't aim for any award, but I might just get one (laughs).
Ganesh (Acharya) did the choreography. My favourite song in the movie is Dulhan Dulhan because it is when pre-marriage ceremonies are performed on Basanti. They are touching because they are all the rituals that are performed on a prostitute.
When I met Mithunda for the first time, I was so excited that I went up to him to say hello. He asked me to sit and told me that a role like this comes to an actor after a lifetime, adding that I was lucky to get it so early in my career. That created pressure on me to do better. He is a terrific actor. He has an overwhelming presence on screen. I think Chingaari will work because of him.
My only complaint with the film is I wish it were shorter. I could be the only one who thinks like that. It is 2 hours and 45 minutes long. The movie doesn't take an anti-prostitution stand. It celebrates prostitution.