'Someone up there has chosen me make
such films. Or (else), why am I seeing
my films so clearly in my mind?'
Wouldn't you like to make a film which would do well commercially?
Yeah, who wouldn't? The average rate of success here is three in a hundred. So one doesn't really know. Is it because the way we are making a film or it's just one of those things?
But I like to make a film which I believe in. I personally think that every film-maker makes a film which only he's capable of. If he says that he's capable of making a film which another has made, then he's lying through his teeth. Today, if Shyam Benegal says that he can make a film that David Dhawan makes or vice versa, then it's not possible.
I say this because, I feel that a film-maker makes a film as he sees it in his mind. So when you talk about cinema and here I am talking about committed directors, then your film is recognised as a good one, whether it's commercially a hit or not. One director who comes to mind was Manmohan Desai.
His films were fantasy, but he made them with a passion which worked. He believed in that kind of entertainment. That's the way he saw it. Though he used to say that he could make a film like Satyajit Ray, the fact was he didn't.
What about the fact that art film-makers are turning to commercial cinema?
Why not? They are excellent film-makers. All these film-makers need two things. Professionalism from the stars, and here I am talking about the commercial films because these are stars who are doing four films at the same time. Changing from one character to the other one in a day. So they are extremely professional....
No film-maker is beyond this fact that he wants his film to be seen by the maximum number of people. This is not possible when you make an art film. The fact that so many people have watched your film and appreciated it gives you a sense of power, which nobody can resist.
During the making of Kshatriya, you had said you were going commercial.
That's one film I am very unhappy about. I am not happy with myself for that film. I was not getting success at the box office. And I wanted to make a film which would. Thank god, it didn't work. Because then I would be making a Kshatriya Part 2 and Part 3.That's what I mean. When you don't believe in something, it doesn't work.
Hathiyar was not a hit, but the critics praised it and it's one of my best films to date. Your films might not do well, but it won't run you down either. It will always get you respect.
So, it's basically a question whether you want to make money or earn respect. I have made a decision that I will make films which will earn me respect. So I don't mind the brickbats at the box office.
Is that the only reason why you still have big stars wanting to work for you?
I think so. Also the fact that they might want to work in a good film too. They are committed actors too. Everybody wants to be associated with good and honest work.
You never had any problems with finance either.
No, I never had any problems there. Let me tell you something. When you talk about success at the box office, nobody knows what it is. Nobody has understood the real meaning of success. None of the famous and popular directors did. If a film-maker like Raj Kapoor did, he would never have made Mera Naam Joker.
I don't write a script keeping in mind that it should appeal at the box office. I write it because it comes naturally to me. It's part of my nature to do so. I am a second generation film-maker. My father was one too.
I have grown up in such an atmosphere. I see a film before it's shot. I see the scene so clearly that it is more beautiful in my mind than it is on the screen.
How does that happen?? I could be sitting in a room or talking to somebody or walking some place, I will be constantly thinking about my film. But it doesn't mean that the film will be a success. When you realise that, then you are humbled.
I feel that I am just a medium who should function in a certain way. Someone up there has chosen me make such films. Or (else), why am I seeing my films so clearly in my mind?
Why do I have these beautiful visions?? I get little scared there when I think these things. So I cannot disrespect this medium.
How do you expect Border to do?
The music is doing well, but I don't know about the film. The film is carrying positive reports -- and from the audiences too. Everybody feels the film is going to work and I hope that God listens to them, if not me. I have worked very hard on this film. I have put in a lot of money, which I have never done before. I hope like bloody hell that it works.
Is it a tribute to fifty years of our Independence?
No, it's a tribute to boys like my brother who have fought this battle. It just happened to be released this year when we are celebrating fifty years. It's pure coincidence, nothing else.
What next?
I take a long break like a government servant. I will see the results of this film and then decide the next step. I have announced a film called Jhelum, but I have not started any work on it yet. I don't know what I am going to do with it. I do only one or two film at a time. It depends on my energy. I have made maximum of two films in three years time. That's it.
|
