Sector 36 director on 'killer' Vikrant Massey: I didn't choose him, he chose me

In an exclusive interview with us, director Aditya Nimbalkar, who recently helmed the Netflix film Sector 36, talked about making his directorial debut with two "brilliant" actors - Vikrant Massey and Deepak Dobriyal. He also spoke about maintaining the sensitivity of the case, and censorship.

In Short

• Aditya Nimbalkar credited Vikrant Massey for his directorial debut, Sector 36
• He discussed making a gory film with brilliant actors
• The director also talked about the challenges of filming the interrogation scene

Aditya Nimbalkar, who made his directorial debut with the Netflix film Sector 36 recently, credited actor Vikrant Massey for having him on board. In an exclusive interview with IndiaToday.in, Aditya talked at length about making a gory film with "brilliant" actors like Massey and Deepak Dobiryal. He also spoke about censorship and if Sector 36 had received a clearance from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) if it was released in theatres and not on an OTT platform. Excerpt:

How are you reacting to all the feedback coming your way after the release of Sector 36, your directorial debut?

I am quite happy. Most people liked the film. I believe it's doing well on Netflix also. That's a good sign.

Please talk about your association with the film and how you came onboard?

I was just excited about making my first film and I had a great story to tell. I got to work with some close friends. I had a great casting crew. So, the whole process was good. Some normal logistics issues happen in filmmaking, but I had a great support team from Maddock Films. They were the ones who wanted to make this film and they provided the best possible support.

The interrogation scene in the film is one of the best ones. Please walk us through that.

It was a great scene on paper and the challenge was to make it not look dull or boring. Sometimes, when you have only one character talking in a scene, it can end up looking monotonous or boring. Saurabh, my cinematographer, and I planned it thoroughly. The editor, the sound designer and the one who did the background score, all came together to craft the scene very well. I had two brilliant actors. Even Baharul Sir. I had three brilliant actors in the frame. Of course, Vikrant did most of the talking but Deepak Sir, just with his eyes, conveyed everything that he needed to say.

Vikrant has played such positive characters in the past. How could you see him playing Prem Singh, a serial killer in Sector 36?

Honestly, I didn't choose Vikrant, he chose me as a director. He had read the script much before I did, and he was interested in playing Prem. Maddock Films, and he were in talks about looking for a director. Collective Artistes agency, which represents me, put my name there. I also have known Vikrant socially through common friends for years and I think he really jumped when he heard my name and said 'let's call Adi'.

When I read the script, I was instantly floored. I told him 'I will do it and if you are Prem, then there's nothing like it'. There was never any doubt about Vikrant's capability as an actor. I could see that he would bring something new that he had never done before. Also, where's the fun in casting those actors who are already known for playing such characters? We both took it as a challenge and it worked.

What about Deepak Dobiryal? He is also known for his comic roles in many popular movies. You cast him as a corrupt police officer.

There's no question about trusting Deepak Sir. I am just glad that he trusted me. He is a phenomenal actor. I was nervous because both of these actors had worked with such great directors. So, for them to trust me as a first time director with such a heavy subject... I am grateful to them for putting their trust in me.

How did you ensure that Sector 36, which is based on an incident which happened in real-life, is not upsetting any section of the audience at a time when controversies are created so easily?

I hope it doesn't lead to a controversy. I don't think we've done anything to sort of create controversy in that sense. The film doesn't invite controversy. We haven't shown anyone in a wrong way. We have maintained the sensitivity of the cases. I am a very sensitive person myself, and it was my duty to ensure that we were creating a good product with the utmost care. People have connected with the victims and their families and they should. The plan from the very beginning was to treat this subject very sensitively. We wanted to show what happens to the characters emotionally, rather than focussing on the physicality of it.

As a director, did you know that this subject was not palatable to everyone? You were showing the kind of gore which could really disturb the viewers.

I knew this wouldn't be palatable to everyone. Even now, I feel I've shown less gore and yet a lot of people have not been able to palate it, which is fine. But, I tried to balance it out as much as possible. I have played a lot with sound design and expressions. See, sometimes it happens that if you try to explain an incident to someone without showing any images, you tend to create images in your own head. And those images could be worse than what you would have possibly shown in the first place. That is our psyche.

Do you think Sector 36 would have received a clearance from the censor board if you were to release it in theatres?

I'd like to hope so. Maybe with some cuts. I want to be a positive person here and say they would have given it a clearance. But honestly, I think probably nahi milta [They would not have given it]. There's always hope, though.