You see a film like Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and it still delights me, even though it was made in the 50s. You see the Hindi version of it and it turns your stomach. The big difference between Hollywood (at that time) and our industry is that even though the producers of those days loved money and multiplying their investments, they also loved movies. And even at that time there were socially aware movies that came out once in awhile. Why can't we do that, I don't understand?
I understand the love for money, and I understand you want to get your investment back and see that your family doesn't lose its standard of living and so on. What is preventing you from searching your own conscience and wonder about what kind of movie is it that one really should be making, with the kind of facilities at our disposal?
It's obviously sufficient for a person in the position of Rakesh Roshan and Subhash Ghai to continue churning out those Hollywood imitations so that they can multiply their investments. There's a superficial nod towards a technical finish. I think it's just the whole concept of Hindi movies, which is so shallow that a person who thrives on that kind of life, for whom it is a part of his bloodstream, I don't think is capable of these kinds of thoughts. When he is asked to invest one zillionth of his fortune into a film that will state something of importance, he will not do it. It's a lamentable situation.
The audience that laps it up…
They will always lap it up. There are umpteen movies with stars and the formulae, which the audience never really went to see. I don't know when sense is going to fail. The thing is that the audience is not taken into consideration. The film-makers say they cater to the audience, but the films are not made for the audience.
They are made to multiply their own investments. And now it's happening that you can recover and make a healthy profit in the first week itself.So all you need to do is to con the audience to get in there on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and you are sitting on a gold mine. The days of 50-week runs are gone, even the desire to make a good film is gone. You just have some slick stuff that will pull the audience in on the first three days and your job is done. I think they are heading down a dark end.
You did make a valiant attempt to become director…
The film was not accepted. It was my film producer who completely lost faith while it was being made and then refused to do anything to help it get noticed, so it sank without a trace. I don't feel broken up about it, because it would have been just one little straw in the wind. But at least it was made, and I feel disappointed that I couldn't make a better film.
I feel disappointed that the audience did not respond to it. I don't feel shattered and discouraged at the end of the day. I hope to attempt another one at some point. That film was attempted, as it was the kind of a subject or script that states something or coincides with my beliefs. I had absolutely no hesitation doing it. There are many things that trouble me, that trouble any man: The lack of consideration towards the common man, and his complete facelessness.
I have taken my standing as an actor too lightly. I have participated in movies that I felt were making significant statements, but it's not been a consuming passion. I was also at a point where I was struggling to become a popular actor. I have been through it all and survived.
At this moment, what is of prime importance to me is to participate in the movies that state something and follow the ideas that were not possible for me to do. And hence my choice of films, like KKL. I'm not the one who believes in making political statements on in an individual capacity. I am not interested in politics, and politicians just turn me off. It's a completely absurd thing in my opinion, and nor have I believed in wearing my heart on my sleeve like many actors do. I didn't feel the need to do it all these years and have not done it. I finally feel the need. I am approaching what could be said as the last innings of my career.
Comments
