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Exploring the Emotional Depth of Shoojit Sircar’s *The Umesh Chronicles*

Shoojit Sircar Reflects on Connections and Nostalgia

Shoojit Sircar, acclaimed for his direction of *Sardar Udham*, which earned him the Best Director award at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) in 2022, has returned to the festival as a jury member for its short film competition. This year, his latest production, *The Umesh Chronicles*, featuring Babil Khan and a cameo by Amitabh Bachchan, has been highlighted during the festival. This project is notable as it signifies Sircar’s fifth collaboration with the legendary actor Bachchan, following successful films like *Shoebite*, *Piku*, *Pink*, and *Gulabo Sitabo*.

Elaborating on *The Umesh Chronicles*, Sircar expressed his excitement in an interview with News18 Showsha. He stated, “It’s a beautiful film we wanted to collaborate on with Jakob Ihre, who shot my first film, Yahaan. He has done the photography for projects like *Chernobyl* and *Spaceman*, which are world-class productions. We were elated to go back and collaborate on this very beautiful and simple film that’s all about nostalgia, growing up in the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s.”

This film also marks the first time Sircar has worked with Babil Khan, son of the late Irrfan Khan, who was a close friend of the director. It’s worth noting that Irrfan had previously prioritized his commitments to Sircar over other significant projects, such as opting out of Ridley Scott’s *The Martian*. His legacy in *Sardar Udham* was anticipated, making Babil’s involvement in *The Umesh Chronicles* particularly meaningful for Sircar.

In reflecting on his role in Babil’s life, Sircar mentioned, “I’ve almost become his parent. I know his mom is doing all the parenting duties, but I keep telling him to keep his feet on the ground. Irrfan was so close to me, especially during his last days. That’s why I feel very possessive about Babil. That connection is there.” This statement underscores the deep bond formed from shared grief and legacy.

The pressures faced by the children of famous actors are a prevalent concern, and Sircar acknowledged the challenges Babil encounters regarding comparisons to his father. He commented on this struggle, saying, “I know these comparisons bring a lot of pressure on the young boy. He has a really long way to go. He’s just started his career. Irrfan had 30-35 years of experience in front of the camera. In his initial years, Babil got so much attention, which could have been harmful and become a hindrance. But Sutapa (Sikdar) has taken the lead in making sure that he stays grounded. I’ve seen that.”

While reluctant to make direct comparisons, Sircar identified a significant trait shared by both father and son: their dedication to preparation. He observed, “Irrfan created his own legacy through his films, and Babil has seen how he used to prepare for his roles. One very beautiful thing I’ve noticed in Babil is that he has adopted his father’s method of preparation. Having said that, he may develop his own process going forward, which is also great. All I want to say is that I’ve seen how important preparation is for Babil – just as it was for his father.”

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