The Humor in Grim Narratives: Saurabh Shukla’s ‘Bandit Queen’ Insight

Actor Saurabh Shukla recently revisited his formative experiences on the set of ‘Bandit Queen,’ crediting director Shekhar Kapur with teaching him a powerful filmmaking technique: finding humor in darkness. Shukla described his collaboration with Kapur, who helmed the 1994 biographical film about Phoolan Devi, as a significant learning curve. He explained that despite the film’s inherently grim and intense subject matter, Kapur possessed a unique ability to identify and incorporate comedic elements. Shukla shared an anecdote about a chaotic robbery scene where a villager’s humorous remark about wanting a discarded bottle of liquor highlighted Kapur’s knack for finding human moments in dire situations. This realization profoundly influenced Shukla’s perspective, leading him to believe that humor is indispensable for a truly complete and resonant story. He articulated this as a core principle he adheres to in his creative endeavors. Furthermore, Shukla admired Kapur’s remarkable skill in authentically portraying local dialects and emotions, even without being a native speaker, attributing it to his keen sense of dialogue rhythm. ‘Bandit Queen’ itself garnered critical acclaim and awards, including a National Film Award. Shukla remains a respected figure in the industry, celebrated for his diverse roles.