Vasan Bala, who assisted director Anurag Kashyap, is now set to showcase his work as a debut director to the world in 'Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota'
Vasan Bala, who is making his Bollywood debut with the critically-acclaimed Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota, has been on another high after receiving appreciations from all corners. Fondly remembering the special moments from his grand debut at TIFF, Bala was only hoping that Indian audiences share love for his debut film. The director Vasan Bala, a man of few words who is making his debut with Abhimanyu Dassani and Radhika Madaan starrer Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota, has definitely learnt a lot under Anurag Kashyap's guidance. He opened up about things ranging from making a movie on a rare issue, screening at film festivals like TIFF and MAMI, and comparisons with other films.
Here are some excerpts from the interview:
What does making your debut feel like?
It’s surreal to see the buzz around my film.
The film has been compared to ‘Kickass’ and James Bond’s ‘The World Is Not Enough’. What’s your take on it?
That is just a condition. Comparisons should be there. If that won’t happen, then I’ll feel bad. However our movie focuses on many things apart from the condition.
Do you believe that more movies should be made on such conditions which are unknown to people?
Depends on what the filmmaker wants to do. You can even make issue-based film. For Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota, I was very clear it was about the world and people. The issue will be part of the world, not beyond it.
What was the response in TIFF? What connected with people?
For a film like this, I believe the audiences will connect in a very similar way. Coming from a middle-class family, everybody has similar dreams, aspirations and conditions that he is surrounded with and wants to go beyond. Those things will resonate and the music is also contemporary. There’s a lot of aligning of rediscovery of retro songs.
Does a movie going to the film festival give an edge to your movie?
Since I have been part of festivals, I always want my films to be part of the festivals. Not always an edge but it definitely has its own journey and connect around the world. It is a great opportunity to interact with the world. The Indian film industry is also spreading its wings. Previously it was a matter of prestige but now it’s also about distance. Going to festivals is also a great opportunity business-wise. We are taking this film to China, Japan, Taiwan and maybe even Korea.
Would you like to adapt a Korean film?
I’m resisting it because I like to write original materials.
Tell me about TIFF…
We hosted a show around mid-night and I wasn’t sure if people would come. They did not only come but the queue was three block long. It was 1200-seater and it was housefull. The energy was obviously high when the show began but even by the end of it, people came and started applauding. That was a very private moment.
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 "Vasan Bala wants ‘Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota’ to be compared to 'Kickass', says 'I'll feel bad if that won't happen'")
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