Exclusive | Abhinay Deo opens up on 'Doosra' 7-year release delay and working with Plabita Borthakur

Abhinay Deo, the acclaimed filmmaker behind 'Delhi Belly', is back in the spotlight with his latest directorial release, 'Doosra'. Blending fictional storytelling with real archival cricket footage, the film tackles a deeply poignant and sensitive theme.

In an exclusive conversation with Zee News Digital, director Abhinay Deo alongside lead actor Plabita Borthakur opened up about the painstaking seven-year journey behind the film, working without cuts from the censor board, and whether Indian women truly enjoy the freedom of choice today.

'Acquiring high-res archival footage took two years'

For viewers following 'Doosra', one question stood out above all: why did a film whose trailer surfaced seven years ago take so long to reach the silver screen? Director Abhinay Deo shed light on the complex multi-year process required to bring his vision to life.

"A film like this, which is an amalgamation of fiction and archival footage, the footage part is the toughest," Deo revealed. "To acquire high-resolution footage from different sources across the world, England, Australia, and other parts, and do the paperwork almost took two years of our time."

He added that the unexpected onset of the COVID-19 pandemic further delayed plans by another two to three years. "It’s not a normal fiction film where you shoot everything and own the rights. Here, the footage doesn't belong to you. It takes time."

Uncut narrative over a 'UA' certificate

Addressing the film's adult ('A') rating from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Deo explained why he chose an uncensored release over a broader age classification.

"There are two parties involved: me and the CBFC," Deo stated. "The CBFC probably felt certain aspects were a little more sensitive in terms of the current atmosphere. They offered us a 'UA' certificate, but with cuts. What I personally preferred was releasing the film without a single cut. The film that we envisioned and delivered as a team is the film that we wanted to reach the audience."

Deo noted he remains unfazed by the 'A' certificate, comparing it to his past cult hit *Delhi Belly*. "This isn't my first adult film. Eventually, when it hits OTT platforms, the right audience—including adolescents alongside their parents—will watch it."

Sourav Ganguly yet to watch the film

Given that 'Doosra' draws heavy inspiration from India's iconic 2002 NatWest Series victory and former cricket captain Sourav Ganguly's historic jersey-waving moment at Lord's, curiosity remains high regarding the legend's reaction.

When asked if Dada had screened the movie, Deo shared, "No, he hasn't watched it as yet. We are hoping that he will at some point, and only after he watches can he give us a reaction."

Freedom of choice for Indian women: Plabita Borthakur speaks out

The core theme of *Doosra* delves into societal expectations and female autonomy. When asked whether women in India are truly free to make their own choices today, actor Plabita Borthakur offered a candid assessment.

"No, I don't think women in India are entirely free to make choices for themselves," Borthakur reflected. "A very small segment of women living in cosmopolitan societies—like myself—might feel liberated, but even then, there are constant societal expectations placed on us simply because we are women."

She added, "When you look at the country overall, there are still countless women whose decisions are entirely made by the men or other family members."

Seamless director-actor synergy on set

Despite the heavy subject matter, working on set was smooth for the lead actor. Borthakur shared that Deo’s structured approach gave her ample space to perform.

"I was surprised that he was actually not strict at all," Borthakur said. "Abhinay sir was very prepared and planned. He gave me complete freedom after explaining his vision clearly, so I knew exactly what he wanted."

On her acting process, Borthakur clarified that she stays clear of method acting: "I'm very instinctive. I start feeling the emotions when they say 'action,' and when it's a 'cut,' I'm completely out of it. I don't take the character home."

Deo echoed her sentiment, praising her innate talent: "To have such maturity in terms of performance at a young age is not easy. Plabita always surprised me with what she brought to the screen."

Doosra: Why watch it in theatres?

Concluding the conversation, Deo urged cinema enthusiasts to catch *Doosra* on the big screen for its scale and historic visual appeal.

"It's a unique experience and storytelling format," Deo urged. "To see matches on a 70-foot screen that you probably watched 20 or 25 years ago on a small TV is a larger-than-life experience. It's a very poignant film about an important subject matter."