The trailer for the upcoming film Yes Papa, featuring actor-director Ananth Mahadevan and Geetika Tyagi in lead roles, begins with a song praising fathers as heroes: “Hero tum hero mere, hero sa rahoge tum….” These lyrics evoke strong emotions, as fathers are often seen as heroes in the eyes of their daughters. However, the visuals in the trailer paint a different picture. Ironically, while the song celebrates fathers as heroes, the film depicts a father turning into a demon, sexually abusing his daughter. The topic of child sexual abuse is often whispered about and ignored due to shame and stigma, let alone addressed through a film. Yet, writer-director Saif Hyder Hasan was determined to shed light on this issue sensitively, aiming to initiate a conversation with the audience.
Naturally, many actors turned down the role of a father who abuses his daughter. Ananth, who agreed to portray the role, says, “It is one thing to play a criminal or a murderer, but portraying this character required many reference points.”
“The film will shake up a lot of people, and that’s why it should reach a wide audience. Crimes against children are not limited to economically disadvantaged families but also occur in middle-class and affluent urban households,” emphasises Ananth, who has directed films such as Mee Sindhutai Sapkal, Bittersweet, Aksar 2, Dil Maange More, and Dil Vil Pyaar Vyaar.
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While the film will not be screened for minors, the team believes that it will help start a dialogue and encourage parents to create a safe space where children can talk about the issue. “Fear and stigma are the biggest barriers which play a huge role in preventing such conversations from happening and reporting. Mothers often ask their children to stay silent if met with an uncomfortable situation. I hope parents build resilience in their children to speak up and there are enough support systems to not just report the issue but also help both mothers and children of abuse to overcome the trauma,” urged Geetika.
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Ananth reveals that there wasn’t a traditional script, but rather his initial conversation with the director and the film’s concept persuaded him to take on the role. “What intrigued me was the unique challenge it presented, as actors seldom encounter such roles. It was challenging to embody the character and portray someone whose beliefs and actions starkly contrast with my own. However, I saw an opportunity to approach the role differently. I aimed to make the character shockingly invisible yet distinct, deviating from typical expectations. Hence, you’ll notice the character humming throughout the film. I associate music with divinity, prompting one to wonder how someone who enjoys singing could commit such a heinous crime,” he told The Indian Express.
After its successful screening at the India International Film Festival in 2022, where it won four awards, the film is set for theatrical release on March 29. Despite initial uncertainty regarding the certification process, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) refrained from cutting any scenes. The film has been shown to the National Human Rights Commission, the Delhi Commission for Women, and UNICEF, facilitating a broader discussion on the sensitive subject matter.
YES PAPA… cinema of relevance applauded by the Womens’ Council https://t.co/bqgmH2Owii
— ANANTH N MAHADEVAN (@ananthmahadevan) July 18, 2022
Geetika, who portrays the victim of incestuous rape, recalls that when the director approached her, she was adamant about only playing strong female characters. “Unfortunately, this is a prevalent issue not only in India but worldwide, often unreported due to stigma, fear, shame, and lack of awareness and sensitivity. When someone attempts to create a film that not only highlights the issue but also educates and sensitises, who wouldn’t want to be part of such a project? As an artist, I seized the opportunity. However, the subject matter was so dark that the filming process was emotionally draining. Living through Vinita’s life (her character) and her trauma was challenging,” she adds.
The actress, who confesses her inclination towards socially relevant films, elaborates, “As a woman, it’s disheartening to acknowledge that nearly all women experience molestation or sexual harassment at some point in their lives. While I haven’t personally experienced child sexual abuse, I sought to comprehend it through social studies and other examples. Although I consider myself a spontaneous actor, heavily influenced by directors, tackling this demanding role was far from easy. To better connect with my character, I made a conscious effort to explore and understand the complexities surrounding the issue of abuse.”
Reflecting on shooting difficult scenes, Geetika shares how emotionally draining the experience was. “As actors, we return to our lives after filming, but the immediate impact of shooting such heavy scenes was profound and challenging to overcome,” says the actress, who improvised significantly during filming.
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