This Is Why You Need to Watch Netflix’s ‘Rajma Chawal’

Netflix’s latest original Indian film Rajma Chawal hit the platform on 30 November and is part of the media giant’s efforts to increase its Indian content over the coming months. Directed by Leena Yadav, it explores the generation gap between a father and son. The father (Rishi Kapoor) desperately tries to bond with his son (Anirudh Tanwar in his debut) and uses social media to do so.

We caught up with Leena and her husband, cinematographer and producer Aseem Bajaj, to talk about releasing the film on Netflix, the shift to digital media and what they hope the audience takes from the story.

Leena was looking to launch the film’s lead Anirudh and wanted a subject that was unique, and so when she heard the story of Rajma Chawal she was sold.

Aseem came across this story from Vivek Anchalya. So Vivek told me about the idea and we started jamming instantly and because I’ve had these experiences with my father, so instantly there were so many stories that came up. 

Leena Yadav, Filmmaker

Ask them why they chose to release the film on Netflix and Leena says, “It was not an option when we were making the film but when Netflix saw the film and proposed that we put it on as a Netflix original, we did think of the pros and cons and the reach it would have and the fact that it will live. The film is also about accepting technology and I said as a filmmaker we also need to do that.”

While Aseem admits to being a Netflix and social media addict, Leena is still more of an avid reader. “The key is that while you must use social media, you must make sure that it doesn’t use you,” says Leena. While making the film, she was conscious of the fact that the usage of social media by her characters should seem authentic, because a lot of films tend to depict an exaggerated version.

Finally when asked about we should take home from the film, both of them said, “Love, warmth and the need to give your loved ones a hug.”