Indian Summer, Film about Nehru and Edwina Mountbatten Options

[Sharmila-Sweet]

Author Alex Von Tunzelmann, whose Indian Summer: The Secret History of the End of an Empire is being adapted for screen, talks to TOI about the Alex Von Tunzelmann
ethical dilemma of prying into the private lives of icons....

How many times have you visited India to research for your book? I have lost count of that. I’ve been to Delhi, Shimla and even Kashmir. My visits have been mostly restricted to the North though I have also been to Bangalore and Mysore.

While doing research for your book, was there any record about Edwina and Nehru that made you exclaim: ‘Wow! how is it that the world never knew this?
There were so many such moments. The press allowed them to be discreet about their relationship. I remember seeing a 1948 photograph of them holding hands during one of their visits to a refugee camp. There was so much solidarity in their friendship.

It’s often said that while Lord Mountbatten appeared to be very loyal, Edwina wasn’t. How do you think he graciously accepted and even empathized with Edwina when she went through her break-ups?
Lord Mountbatten was a generous husband. Though the marriage clearly didn’t work, Edwina couldn’t move out. Lord Mountbatten was genuinely happy with the friendships Edwina had outside marriage. He was too decent and dignified to even ask her whether there was more to the friendships. For him, it could have been a case of accepting that it was none of his business to ask further.

In a marital relationship, isn’t such detachment with the knowledge that something could be brewing very unusual?
A lot of us might not be able to manage that. Sure, it is very unusual. But I think their love for each other grew after they left India.

During the course of your research, did you ever consider speaking to any of Nehru’s descendants?
I had met Nehru’s niece, Nayantara Sahgal, in Mussoorie. An intelligent lady, she was open to my idea of documenting the history of those crucial years. She knew Gandhi well and was very helpful. Sonia Gandhi too had written a letter back to me when I had expressed my desire to meet her. Unfortunately, the meeting never happened.

By allowing William Nicholson to write the screenplay for Indian Summer, did you feel like a mother who has given her child up for adoption?
I feel very powerful about the book. But, I don’t really own the events. The events belong to billions of people. I haven’t seen the screenplay yet. I am a historian and my role in the film is that of a historical consultant. Film writing is very different from historical documentation. I trust William’s talent and judgement.

Writing an adaptation involves a lot about choices of leaving out certain details. What’s the most crucial part of adapting your novel?
It’s important to get the characters right. After all, these people are not that far away in history. From the feedback that I’ve got for my book, I think I have got things right.

There have been media reports of the Indian government wanting four scenes (one of a kiss, one where they dance, one where they lie in bed and one where Nehru says ‘I love you’) deleted. Do you appreciate such a directive?
I’m not even sure whether such things were there in the script. I read online reports about the movie, a lot of which seem exaggerated. My book doesn’t have any such moments of the Nehru-Edwina kissing, dancing or lying in bed.

Since neither Nehru nor Edwina had mentioned whether their relationship was platonic or otherwise, do you think a film-maker has the liberty to imagine the truth however respectful that is?
That’s a very difficult question. It happens time and again when films are made about historical characters. Take for instance, Julius Caesar and Cleopatra. We allow more liberty when the characters belong to the distant past. But who decides how much time is enough time? Being a historian is very different from being a director. Film-making is a lot about imagination.

Do you like watching such imaginative explorations of any icon’s private life?
I would find it interesting if it’s done well and not just to create a scandal. There must be a profound impact in that.

Do you think the Indian viewer is mature enough to watch a film unravel the relationship between Edwina and Nehru while it has always been kept so hush-hush?
I expect that depends on the Indian viewer in question! I am sure Indians will have many different opinions on the subject. Of course, it is impossible to please everyone. But it is possible to explore a subject like this with sensitivity. Indian audience is just as capable as anyone else in the world of taking a mature view, and of understanding that there is a difference between a profound love story and a cheap scandal. If this story had been leaked to the press in 1947-’48, of course, it would have been a scandal. But now, with some distance and sensitivity, the story can be told in a way that is very moving. At least, that is what I have tried to achieve, and the readers of my book may say whether I have done so or not. Stories of love of all kinds have always been central to Indian culture, and in my experience most modern Indians are not prudish or hypocritical about that. I don’t believe that the relationship between Edwina and Nehru was a shameful relationship.

What’s your understanding of him?
The best way to understand Gandhi was to look at him through Nehru’s writings. There is no question Nehru loved and respected Gandhi, but at the same time he often disagreed with him very sharply. My own views are very often the same as Nehru’s. It is possible to
disagree with the Mahatma on political points while still believing that he was —- and is —- an enormous and powerful spiritual influence on the whole world. He was a fascinating and complex man, and I do not think it is possible or desirable to have a simple response to him.

Do you think Cate Blanchett is best suited to play Edwina?
n She is a wonderful actor, has won dozens of awards and has played historical roles too. I would be delighted to have her play Edwina.

What about the choice of Hugh Grant to play Lord Mountbatten?
I am a fan of his but have not heard any definite word from him.

Finding the actor to play Nehru would be challenging. Do you prefer someone who physically resembles him?
Some extent of physical resemblance helps to make a character believable. But what’s more important is to have an actor who has the dignity and gravitas to carry off his spirit. I read a report stating that Irrfan would be playing Nehru in the film. Though I don’t know whether this is true or not, I think he is a brilliant actor. I’m a huge fan of his.

Do you watch Bollywood movies?
Oh! Yes. I’ve just watched Dil Bole Hadippa! I love Shahid Kapoor and Imran Khan. I also like Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta and Konkona Sen Sharma. I’d like to catch Wake Up Sid in London next week.

Any plans of writing the Bollywood history?
I’d love to do that. There is a similarity between Bollywood and Indian politics. Both give a lot of emphasis to dynasty. Writing on Shah Rukh, who is so big now without having come from a filmi background, would be interesting.