Subhash K Jha in Patna
The rousing reception that Agneepath received over the four-day weekend has made its director Karan Malhotra a talent to reckon with.
Malhotra, who is still reeling from the film's super success, talks to Subhash K Jha about his inspiration, and future plans.
Has Mr Amitabh Bachchan seen your Agneepath?
So far he hasn't. I am hoping he would very soon. He has been traveling.
Does the overwhelming response to your film put an added responsibility on your shoulders?
Yes. Now, I have to deliver an even bigger film next time. I am doing my next film for Karan Johar's Dharma Productions, that's for sure.
' When I decided to do my own take on Agneepath, a lot of people questioned my decision'
Why did you think of doing a remake of Agneepath, which had not been a hit when it released in 1990?
Honestly, the merit of a film cannot be judged by its collections. When I decided to do my own take on Agneepath, a lot of people questioned my decision. But it was a film very close to my heart.
It so happened that one day we were sitting with Karan Johar in his office, discussing our favourite films. I mentioned Agneepath as one of my top three films of all time. Karan asked me if I thought Agneepath could be remade. I said yes.
Within a couple days of that conversation, I requested Karan to let me write a new version of Agneepath. He was kind enough to let me do what I wanted. I am so glad that the faith he placed in me by trusting me with a film produced by his father, was not misplaced
You mentioned three favourite films. Which are the other two?
Basu Chatterjee's Ek Ruka Hua Faisla and Raj Kumar Santoshi's Damini.
Ek Ruka Hua Faisla is my all-time favourite film. It was even better than the English-language version of the film.
'I stopped thinking of the comparisons with the original'
So would you be doing a remake of Ek Ruka Hua Faisla?
At some point in my career, yes. Not right away though.
How did you decide on the changes to be made in the original Agneepath?
I knew the things that I loved about the original Agneepath. I tried to keep those things intact as much as possible. The basic revenge story interested me. There are so many ways of telling a revenge story. I didn't consciously sit down to make changes in the original vendetta format. I kept the basic structure and went with the flow.
Then I wrote down the things I thought I'd enjoy watching in Agneepath. What we see in my Agneepath is how I saw the story. The basic change I'd say is the character played by Rishi Kapoor. That wasn't there in the original.
Were you apprehensive that the changes would not go down well with the purists?
All the apprehensions vanished when I wrote the script. Once I finished, Karan Johar approved and the cast fell into place. All the actors I got were my first choices. After that, I followed my heart. I stopped thinking of the comparisons with the original.
'I am short-tempered; my actors would vouch for that'
Weren't you nervous family audiences would stay away because of the violence in your film?
I was hoping they would get the context of the violence. Once the audience sees the characters within their context, the violence ceases to be offensive.
There is so much anger in Agneepath. Does it reflect your state of mind?
Well, I am not bitter about the world but I am certainly short-tempered. My actors would vouch for that. I am trying to master my temper.
Are you taking a break before you make your next film?
Not really. I've been working for a good 15-16 years. I was an assistant director before Agneepath. During all this time the only break I took was for my honeymoon. My wife Ekta is my support system. I was very lucky to have her as my associate in Agneepath. She is working on her own script now.
'Like every new director, I want to make a film with Mr Bachchan'
What are your future aspirations?
Like every new director, I want to make a film with Mr Bachchan. It would be a dream come true. Without doubt, it would be the high point of my career. I am also a big fan of Pankaj Kapur and Naseeruddin Shah.
Those two don't fit into the Agneepath mould.
That doesn't matter. The film Ek Ruka Hua Faisla was not a mainstream film. And yet, it was so gripping and entertaining. Why do people perceive only comedies to be entertaining? If I've an opportunity to work with Pankajji or Naseersaab, I'd grab it. Anyway, I don't have to restrict myself to the mainstream mould.
Niche films don't get an audience.
At least directors get a chance to make different kinds of films. Earlier, there was no room for innovation. At least, now there are producers who are willing to invest in such films.
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