Exclusive | Irrfan’s unseen documentary on Tigmanshu Dhulia's Paan Singh Tomar is a goldmine for cinema lovers: Director

SEventeen years after award-winning take Paan Singh Tomar (2012) was crack in 2009, and on worker Irrfan’s 6th dying anniversary, a 47-minute documentary A Story That Refused to Die on the making will be screened in Mumbai on April 29.Its BTS (behind-the-scenes) person and now its director and documentary-filmmaker Rajneeta Kaur tells HT City, “60 hours of content, that was lost multiple times, will finally see the light of the day to celebrate the most beloved actor and truly national treasure – Irrfan sir!” The actor and the film, directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia, won National Awards. “After three years of shooting, the film released all of a sudden and we could not stream the making. After the film won National Awards, I started reworking but half of the content was lost. It kept delaying and years passed by. By the time it got ready, the tragic illness news of Irrfan sir came out, then Covid-19, and he left us. Tishu sir asked me to rework on this as it’s a goldmine and tribute to the actor,” tells Ranjeeta. On the documentary and his deepest friend Irrfan, Tigmanshu says, “We are all very nostalgic about the film, which is everyone’s labour of love and about my strongest confidant Irrfan. His contribution to the cinema is eternal and these tapes are a goldmine for every cinema lover and Ranjeeta has made it with heart.”Ranjeeta, who works independently on projects, short films and documentaries adds, “Three years back, it was supposed to be screened in MAMI festival but that could not happen. Now, on this death anniversary, we are screening it for the first time for the cinema lovers who love the film and Irrfan sir.” She recalls how disappointed she was when the BTS was not released during the film's release. “I got a call seven days before the release to give the tapes, but nothing came out. Then, I was told that all the tapes had been destroyed. Luckily, I found a folder on a computer where a digital copy was saved, but half of it got corrupted. I reworked on it and we were supposed to come out with a coffee table book on it, but it got delayed and sir fell ill,” she says.On the occasion, filmmakers Tigmanshu and Vishal Bhardwaj will be in a conversation with Saurabh Dwivedi followed by a Sufi night to be held at NMACC. Ranjeeta's workBesides working on independent projects, Ranjeeta has directed short film She, documentary Agarazi (on Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve) and The Full Circle on play Mughal-e-Azam The Musical.“I am awaiting release of It’s Where It All Started (on opening of Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre) and Come What May (India’s first cruise line). Besides, I am directing a documentary for Tigmanshu Dhulia on the foundational event of Bazm-E-Virasat and celebrating the significance of Allahabad. And, I am writing a feature film which I plan to direct,” she adds.