Director Satramm Ramani on Double XL: The film is cast even before it's written

Director Satramm Ramani is back with another quirky slice-of-life film, Double XL. The movie, which stars Sonakshi Sinha and Huma Qureshi in the lead roles, revolves around two plus-size women. The movie also features Zaheer Iqbal and debutante Mahat Raghavendra in pivotal roles and is slated to release on November 4.

Satnam, who earlier helmed Helmet highlighted the issue of safe sex, his second outing Double XL revolves around body shaming. When asked if he has a soft corner for social issues, he shares, “I believe, if I have to tell any kind of a story, it needs to be told in a weird way, I would say it's high concept. Helmet was the only film that spoke about condoms out loud. I want to tell slightly interesting stories, perhaps which is why I am unique. If I have to make an action film tomorrow, I will make sure that it has some concept to it.”

Further, he states how Double XL is socially relevant in terms of its writing. “There have been films in the past that had social issues, not that those issues were big but they existed in the society like Damini, Gardish, etc. Before that, Raj Kapoor sahab made Satyam Shivam Sundaram and we are talking about body shaming in 2022. Back then, people used to talk about social issues but that time has come again I feel. Like how National Awards are created to award films that have made an impact in society, at least stirred a conversation,” he adds.

While Huma Qureshi and Sonakshi Sinha headline the film, Satnam throws light on the perfect casting. “Our writer, Muddassar Aziz, was having dinner with Sona, Huma and Zaheer casually, and he saw how gorgeous these two girls are. He discussed the thought with them and that's how it all started for Double XL. This film is cast even before it's written.”

On a concluding note, he spills the beans on what kind of genres he wants to explore as a filmmaker besides making social issue-based films. “It can be any story but foremost, it needs to connect to me but it has to have that emotional quotient. A story should have a start, a middle, and an end. I know, people may like the film or won't, but they will definitely talk about it. I don't want to forget my films dealing with a certain subject,” he signs off.