When Srijit Mukerji's Hemlock Society premiered in 2012, he had directed only three films. The audience embraced the film's distinctive theme of assisted suicide, the fresh pairing of actors Parambrata Chattopadhyay and Koel Mallick, and the poignant musical composition by Anupam Roy.

Fast forward 13 years, Mukerji is set to release a sequel to the film, titled Killbill Society, in theaters on April 11. Over the past decade, the director has consistently produced critically acclaimed works, exploring a diverse range of subjects and storytelling techniques. In an exclusive interview with HT before the release, Mukerji discusses the evolution of an idea he encountered on X, his collaboration with Parambrata, and more.

Having released at least one film each year, does the process become any easier as a film's release approaches? He responds, “I created a film that I wanted to make, on my terms. Now it is in the hands of the audience, so I am currently navigating the usual routine of promotions, post-production, and everything else that comes with a film's release.”

On the idea of a sequel

Mukerji states that the concept of a sequel to his 2013 film had always been present. “If you recall the final scene of Hemlock Society, it featured Ananda Kar (Parambrata) driving away with a new aspirant, taking him under his guidance,” he explains.

“For many years, we were simply waiting for the right storyline. We did not want to create a sequel merely for the sake of it, especially for a film that has achieved cult status. We were on the lookout for the perfect narrative, and during our time on the former Twitter, we stumbled upon a real-life incident involving Angelina Jolie. At the age of 19, she had engaged a contract killer intending to stage her death to appear as a suicide, while also wanting it to resemble a shootout for her family. Fortunately, the contract killer advised her to reconsider, leading her to change her mind, and the rest is history,” he elaborates.

When questioned about what specifically drew his attention to that story, he responds, “It was the uniqueness and quirkiness of the situation. Additionally, had I conceived such a plot on my own, it would likely have been dismissed as too radical or unrealistic. Thankfully, it occurred, which simplified my task. The themes of suicide and assisted suicide resonate closely with Hemlock, which is why I believe this project could move forward. Naturally, there are various twists and turns in this narrative, but the core idea remains intact.”

‘Parambrata is a very underrated actor’

Killbill Society features Parambrata in the leading role, an actor with whom Mukerji has collaborated multiple times. The director reflects on their long-standing creative relationship, acknowledging that he does not specifically write roles with any particular actor in mind. “However, it is indeed the case that Param and I have a long history together. He was my junior in school, which means we have known each other for 37 years! That’s quite an impressive duration! Our friendship dates back to childhood,” he shares.

“I believe he is an underrated actor. I have consistently approached him with a variety of roles, and he has always risen to the occasion. This is why he is my preferred choice for challenging roles, especially during critical moments. In that regard, he is my Rahul Dravid! (smiles),” the director adds.

When asked about genres he wishes to explore in the future, Mukherji states, “There are many films that catch my attention. I would love to create a horror film someday, as that is one genre I have yet to tackle, along with a full-fledged slapstick comedy. Both of these genres are quite challenging, and they are the ones I aspire to pursue. Additionally, I might consider a science-fiction project in the future, something more intricate.”

Killbill Society is set to premiere in theaters on April 11.

Read Also: Hollywood’s Ted Raimi Praises Indian Cinema, Warns: ‘Don’t Try to Copy Bollywood’

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