‘Titanic is a slice of Bollywood’

Best known for having co-produced Oscar-winning films like Avatar and Titanic with filmmaker James Cameron, producer Jon Landau says that there couldn’t have been a better time to bring back Titanic in a 3D format.

“Though the film will always have takers, it was about time that we introduce the newer generations to a saga in a format that relate to. It’s a timeless love story, but the audience is more ripe for a 3D experience now than ever before,” says the producer.

In a tete-a-tete with After Hrs, the producer talks about pairing up with Cameron and reveals his interest in Bollywood.

Q: You and James Cameron have proven to be quite a winning-film pair. What makes you both team up so often?
A: WelI, primarily, because James dares to dream bigger than other filmmakers usually allow themselves to, but I guess what really makes us click together is that neither of us are afraid to try and set out to fulfill those dreams.

As a producer, at least I am always looking out for someone with the kind of vision and expertise that James brings on board, along with that passion to see such ambitious projects through the end with the same enthusiasm that he started it with. He’s a one-man-stop for any film.

Q: There are two sequels simultaneously being made for Avatar. Do you feel the ‘Oscar’ pressure?
A: The pressure purely comes from wanting to advance further with each of our films, not in terms of winning awards, but of pushing the envelope as filmmakers and giving the world something they haven’t even contemplated. The aim is to raise the bar higher for ourselves with each film.

Q: Titanic’s almost Bollywood in nature…
A: Yes, it’s a slice of Bollywood and has all elements right from the rich girl meets poor guy romance to the songs, not to forget a dramatic ending.

Q: So are you training your sights to producing a film here now?
A: Here, there I am always game for good stories!

Q: You seem to be deeply influenced by Indian culture?
A: India is like a treasure trove of stories that are waiting to be told. So, yes if there’s anything that I think has a global universal appeal, it’ll be on my mind. Avatar had several references that were probably inspired by Indian mythology, but applicable in all cultures. The sequels will probably have stronger Indian elements, let’s see.